Woman flags police inaction in sexual exploitation, extortion case

Belagavi: A 25-year-old woman from Shahapur has approached city police commissioner Bhushan Borase, alleging failure of the local police to register her complaint involving serious charges, including sexual exploitation, extortion and criminal intimidation.In a petition submitted Sunday, the woman said she first approached Shahapur police station on March 29 to lodge a complaint, but no FIR was registered.She alleged that on April 2, the accused produced her gold ornaments and mobile phone before the police, which she identified as her property. However, she claimed the police returned the items to the accused without her consent instead of seizing them as evidence.The complainant also alleged that police personnel pressured her to settle the matter and refrain from pursuing legal action. When she refused, officials allegedly intimidated her and warned that she would not receive justice. She further claimed that an individual approached her inside the police station and urged her to accept Rs 3 lakh to settle the case.Seeking intervention, the woman demanded immediate registration of an FIR, departmental action against erring officers, recovery of her valuables and protection from further harassment. Commissioner Borase assured her of appropriate legal action.What is in the complaint?In a detailed complaint filed at Shahapur police station, the woman accused Ishwarsingh Badgujar, 32, a resident of Belagavi, of prolonged sexual exploitation on the pretext of marriage, recording private photos and videos without her consent, and using them to blackmail her over several years. She alleged that he extorted more than Rs 19 lakh in cash and misappropriated gold ornaments worth over Rs 25 lakh belonging to her and her family.According to the complaint, the accused befriended her through social media in 2019, gained her trust and later allegedly sexually assaulted her, threatening to release intimate content. Under coercion, she claimed to have paid Rs 8 lakh from her personal savings, Rs 7 lakh from her father's fixed deposit, and additional amounts borrowed from relatives and friends.She further alleged that the accused used the money to purchase vehicles and continued to exploit her physically and financially. The complaint also names his mother, brother Gurucharansingh, and cousin Harjitsingh Pothiwal, accusing them of supporting and abetting the offences.