A 21-year-old woman, preparing for the civil services exam, has accused a relative of raping her for almost three years after staging a fake temple marriage to gain her trust. The woman, residing in Gwalior’s Amkho locality since 2023 for exam preparation, disclosed that the accused, Deepak from Datia, befriended her and promised marriage.
Deepak, a frequent visitor to her family, coerced her into allowing him to visit her room and subsequently raped her under the pretext of marriage. He then took her to a temple, performed marriage rituals, and proclaimed himself as her husband. Subsequently, he arranged a rented room for her in Bhander and continued the sexual abuse, as per the police.
The victim recently discovered that Deepak was engaged to another woman from Karera. Upon her objection, he refused to marry her and issued threats, claiming impunity from the authorities. The victim lodged a complaint at Bhander police station, leading to the registration of a ‘zero FIR,’ which was later transferred to Kampu police station for further action.
Kampu Station In-charge Amar Singh Sikarwar confirmed the registration of a case based on the victim’s statement. The police are investigating the alleged temple marriage and the rented accommodation in Bhander, utilizing CCTV footage and witness testimonies to establish the timeline. Authorities are also looking into Deepak’s engagement and the possibility of other victims being deceived similarly. A search operation is ongoing to apprehend the accused.
