In Part 1 of the crime series, readers learned how 19-year-old Riya (name changed), a resident of Amla in Betul district, suddenly went missing from Indore. A month later, she was found confined inside a partially constructed house in Amla.
When Riya was finally reunited with her family after nearly a month in captivity, fear was visible in her eyes. The young woman, who had gone to Indore in search of work, had allegedly fallen into the trap of three men who repeatedly assaulted her and kept her confined at different locations.
Struggled in Indore before falling into the trap
Riya had moved to Indore in March in search of employment. With the help of a woman, she found work at a showroom. Though the salary was low, she hoped to secure a better job later.
About six months later, while trying to change jobs, she realised that she had lost her Aadhaar card.
Without valid documents, finding another job became difficult. During this period, she contacted an acquaintance from Amla, Chhote Pawar, seeking help in getting a new Aadhaar card made. Chhote allegedly told her to come to Amla and assured her he would help. By then, Riya had also run out of money.
Locked in a room and sexually assaulted
After reaching Amla, Chhote arranged for her to stay in a rented room. He reportedly told the landlord that Riya was his relative and had come for coaching classes.
A few days later, he allegedly began making excuses, saying Aadhaar card centres were closed because of Navratri festivities.
One day, he locked the room from outside. According to Riya’s statement to police, Chhote sexually assaulted her inside the room and threatened to kill her and her relatives if she spoke to anyone.
Terrified by the threats, Riya did not seek help. The room reportedly remained locked from outside throughout the day.
Survivor allegedly gang-raped by accused’s friends
A few days later, Chhote allegedly took Riya out on the pretext of showing her Navratri tableaux. However, his two friends, identified as Ram and Mangal, were already waiting there.
According to Riya, Chhote left her with them, after which both men allegedly gang-raped her. When her health deteriorated, she was again locked inside the same room.
Forced to write suicide note
On October 9, one of Riya’s relatives reportedly spotted her in Amla. She appeared frightened and refused to return home. She only warned the relative to leave immediately, saying the accused might kill him too.
By then, Chhote allegedly realised the matter could spiral out of control. According to Riya’s statement, on October 13 he took her to Mangal’s place, where she was allegedly forced to write a suicide note under torchlight.
The note reportedly stated that her uncle and aunt would be responsible for her death.
Survivor rescued after main accused arrested
Riya kept screaming for help, but the house where she was confined was located in an isolated area and her voice could not reach outside.
Meanwhile, police detained Chhote based on the description provided by the landlord.
A few hours later, Riya’s brother, uncle and maternal uncle reached the location identified by the accused. The room was locked from outside. Family members broke the lock with a stone and entered the dark room.
They found Riya sitting terrified in a corner.
Three accused sentenced to life imprisonment
The family immediately took Riya to the police station, where a case of abduction and gang rape was registered.
During the investigation, medical reports, DNA evidence and witness statements reportedly supported the allegations against the accused. Police arrested Chhote Pawar, Ram Singh and Mangal.
Although the accused tried to defend themselves, investigators said the evidence strongly supported the prosecution’s case.
On November 17, 2022, the Third Additional Sessions Court in Amla convicted all three men of abduction and gang rape and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
