Nagpur Teen Rescued: Food Order Aids Cops in Friend's Rape, Kidnapping Case

In a disturbing incident that unfolded in Nagpur, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped, held captive, and sexually assaulted by a 19-year-old individual she had befriended on Instagram. The victim, a Class 12 student and daughter of a senior government official, was subjected to brutal physical and sexual abuse for over 24 hours in a rented apartment in the city. The elaborate rescue operation by the Nagpur police, which involved cyber tracking and a crucial tip-off from a food delivery executive, brought the ordeal to an end. The accused has been identified as Nirbhay alias Akash Madhav Pakhare, a BBA student from Thane, who reportedly used a fake Instagram profile under the alias "Akash Mehra" to connect with the minor in May of the previous year. Over several months, Pakhare developed a relationship with the girl, allegedly manipulated her into sharing private photographs, and subsequently used these explicit images to blackmail her into meeting him. Investigators revealed that Pakhare had visited Nagpur twice in the past year, sexually assaulting the girl at a hotel on an earlier occasion before confining her at the rented accommodation in Dighori. The girl's parents reported her missing to the Hudkeshwar police station on Sunday after she failed to return home for nearly 24 hours and her mobile phone was switched off. The police immediately launched an intensive 20-hour search operation, leveraging technical intelligence and cyber surveillance. They meticulously examined the victim's Instagram chats and other digital footprints, which led them to identify the accused and his links in Thane. Nagpur Police coordinated with their Thane counterparts, who requested Pakhare's mother to call him. When he answered, cyber experts successfully traced his live location to the Dighori area of Nagpur. Despite narrowing down the locality, pinpointing the exact apartment proved challenging. The breakthrough came when officers discreetly followed an online food delivery executive carrying an order to the accused's address. This ingenious method allowed the police to confirm the precise location, leading to a late-night raid on the flat on Monday. Upon entering, officers found the 16-year-old victim handcuffed and tied to a bed, bearing multiple severe injuries, including knife wounds and lacerations from whipping with metal-studded leather belts. She was immediately rescued and shifted to a government hospital for urgent medical attention and treatment for severe psychological trauma. Pakhare was arrested at the scene and has since been booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to kidnapping, rape, and attempt to murder, along with relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Police sources revealed that Pakhare had allegedly arrived in Nagpur with over 30 sharp weapons and rented the room through an online platform, raising suspicions of a pre-planned crime. Adding another layer of controversy to the case, Pakhare has been uncooperative with investigators since his arrest. He has refused to undergo a medical examination (initially, before being taken for the procedure on Tuesday) or reveal the passwords to his and the victim's mobile phones, which investigators believe hold crucial digital evidence. Instead of cooperating, Pakhare has reportedly been making a series of unusual demands for special treatment while in police custody. He has complained about the dingy walls, foul-smelling toilet, and lack of comfort in the lock-up. His demands include pizza for breakfast, premium meals for dinner, a soft bed or thick mattress, and mosquito repellents, claiming he was unable to sleep due to mosquito bites. Police officials have stated that while these requests have kept lock-up personnel occupied, no special facilities beyond standard norms have been extended. The accused's parents, both prominent doctors from Thane, arrived in Nagpur after being informed of the arrest. The police are continuing their investigation, examining Pakhare's Instagram account, mobile phones, and other digital devices to determine the full extent of the crime and whether he has been involved in similar offenses in the past. This incident underscores the critical importance of parental vigilance regarding children's online interactions and highlights the innovative methods employed by law enforcement to tackle complex crimes involving digital footprints.

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