A twisted tale of two FIRs

OB Bureau

What began as a Valentine’s Day party at a rented villa has spiralled into a high-stakes legal face-off this week.

A 19-year-old college student has alleged she was drugged and gang-raped. One of the men she has accused has hit back with a police complaint of his own. With cross-FIRs now registered and serious charges flying from both sides, the case has set off a complex and contentious investigation stretching from Jakkur to Rajajinagar and beyond.

Police have told the press that based on a complaint filed by one 34-year-old, named as one of the accused in the gang rape case, the Malleshwaram police have registered an FIR. Notably, he approached the police before the survivor did.

The FIR on the man’s complaint was registered on February 21. The case relating to the alleged drugging and gang rape was registered a day later by the survivor, on February 22.

In his complaint, the accused alleged that he was targeted in an attempt to extort money. Police have booked a case under Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act (cheating by personation using computer resources or communication devices) and Section 308(2) (extortion) read with Section 3(5) (criminal liability for acts done in furtherance of common intention) against the 19-year-old complainant in the gang rape case, as well as against journalist Imran and others.

The man reportedly told police that he earns his livelihood by dealing in second-hand cars. He said he had taken a villa in Jakkur on lease and rented it out on a one-day basis.

According to him, his friend had booked the villa from February 14 to 16 for a Valentine’s Day party. And he joined the gathering at around 2 a.m., where he was introduced to Deekshan’s female friend and the 19-year-old student.

In his complaint, the man has claimed that during the party the woman spoke about her parents’ divorce and her father’s illness, and that she appeared emotionally distressed. He further alleged that she moved close to him and touched him, which he objected to.

He also stated that after the party, the woman asked him to drop her. During the drive, he alleged, she told him she was a “sugar baby” looking for a “sugar daddy” and asked him to inform her if he knew someone. He said he dropped her near a bakery in Rajajinagar.

The man further alleged that on February 18 he saw the woman posting on Instagram, accusing him and another man of drugging and gang-raping her. Three to four days later, he claimed, a man identifying himself as “Crime Chief” of a Kannada news channel, called him and asked him to come to a specific location and pay money to the woman to “give her justice”.

According to him, the caller allegedly warned that a promo had been prepared and would be broadcast, damaging his reputation if he failed to pay. He has sought legal action, alleging an attempt to extort money.

 

The counter FIR

Meanwhile, the 19-year-old private college student has alleged that she was drugged and gang-raped by her boyfriend and his friend during the Valentine’s Day party.

A case has been registered at the Amruthahalli Police Station, and an investigation is underway. Police have booked the accused under Sections 64 (repeat rape offence), 70(1) (gang rape), and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) read with Section 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

According to her complaint, the student, who reportedly hails from Tamil Nadu, and is pursuing journalism and psychology at a reputed college in Bangalore, had been staying at a PG hostel with a female friend for the past five months.

She alleged that during the party, the accused forcibly put a rose-coloured tablet into her mouth. Within minutes, she said, her body felt hot, she began sweating, her head spun and her vision blurred.

When she regained consciousness, she found herself partially clothed. Nikhil was lying beside her with his hand on her chest, she alleged. Shocked, she pushed him away, covered herself with a bedsheet and asked about Deekshan.

According to her complaint published in the press, the man stepped out and returned with Deekshan while she was still semi-conscious. She alleged that both men then forcibly removed her clothes and sexually assaulted her.

She reportedly said her attempts to resist were futile and that when she screamed in pain, the accused allegedly told her that nothing would happen and that the act would “strengthen their bond”.

After the assault, she alleged, both men left the room and locked her inside. She said she later gathered her clothes in a semi-conscious state, found her phone under a pillow and got dressed.

The student further alleged that later, while the man was driving her back, he threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the incident. She also alleged that he touched her chest during the drive and later dropped her near Lulu Mall.

Initially too frightened to approach the police, the survivor said the incident continued to haunt her. On February 17, she sought medical treatment at a hospital. After informing her brother, she lodged a complaint at the Amruthahalli Police Station against Deekshan and Nikhil.

With cross-FIRs now on record and serious charges on both sides, the case has taken a dramatic turn. Police said further investigation is underway.