Police have arrested a third accused in connection with the rape and blackmail case involving students of a private college in Bhopal. The case, which came to light on Thursday, has now led to the arrest of three individuals, with at least seven suspects identified so far, officials said on Saturday.
The latest arrest has been made by the Ashoka Garden police, who took Abrar alias Ali Khan into custody. He was named in the FIR filed at Ashoka Garden police station, along with other accused. Earlier, the prime accused Farhan Khan alias Faraz and another suspect Saad were arrested.
Farhan, who was apprehended by Bag Sewania police, was produced before a local court on Friday and has been remanded to three-day police custody for further interrogation. Officials stated that questioning him may lead to revelations about additional victims and the full extent of the exploitation network.
According to a senior police officer, the number of identified accused has increased to seven, and the number of victims could rise as more survivors come forward. Investigators believe the group has been operating for several years, targeting multiple young women, especially students.
Preliminary investigations reveal that the accused, including former students of a private college, formed a group to lure, rape, and blackmail girl students. They filmed obscene videos of the victims and pressured them to introduce other girls, who were then similarly assaulted and blackmailed.
The racket came to light after one of the victims approached Bag Sewania police and filed a complaint against Farhan Khan alias Faraz, leading to the initial breakthrough.