A sad incident occurred in Madhya Pradesh where an apparently brilliant PhD student died by suicide from rape, blackmail, and psychological torture by a man named Yogesh Rawat.
The episode happened in the Datia district, drawing condemnation for crimes against women and private videos used for bullying. The woman had been studying for a PhD in Gwalior when she met the accused through a mutual acquaintance, police officials said.
Investigators said that the accused, Yogesh Rawat, was the brother of one of the victim’s friends who had gradually become acquainted with him. Police said Rawat called the woman to a hotel in Gwalior, allegedly causing her to consume intoxicating substances to the point where she lost consciousness.
Police said that when the accused allegedly raped the woman, she then lost consciousness after taking the substance. Investigators also disclosed that in the course of the assault, the accused allegedly filmed obscene videos of the woman. The accused later used those videos to blackmail the victim and threatened to post them on social media if she did not comply, police said.
The accused, it was reported, approached the woman again and sexually assaulted her again with these threats, the report says. These allegedly occurred on March 13 and March 15, according to the police. Unable to bear the alleged harassment and intimidation, the woman approached the Padav police station in Gwalior on March 15; she filed an FIR against Yogesh Rawat. She reportedly went back to her home in the Datia district soon afterwards, after lodging the complaint.
The woman subsequently died by hanging herself at her home, police said. Officials also confirmed the recovery of a suicide note, in which the victim reportedly accused Yogesh Rawat and his two sisters of mentally harassing her. In the note, she allegedly called for strict legal action against them.
Upon the registration of the complaint, the police undertook a search operation and arrested Yogesh Rawat from Ashok Nagar. The authorities said the probe has been ongoing, and any further legal action will be based upon evidence gathered during the investigation. Sub-Inspector Santosh Bhadauria said the complainant told police that she arrived at Phool Bagh with a friend and was subsequently taken to a hotel where the crimes allegedly took place.
The scene prompted the police investigation. Digital evidence is being collected, hotel records have been looked at, mobile phone data is being searched, and other clues around the case were also sought. It raised once more fears about crimes with private videos used to blackmail victims and severe mental trauma experienced by victims.
Police officials said further investigation is being conducted to determine if more people were complicit in the harassment or concealment of evidence. They also advised people not to share misinformation about the case on social media, authorities said.
