Ex-partner out on bail accused of renewed online harassment

Rajkot: A 31-year-old woman lodged a complaint with Junagadh C Division police, alleging cyber harassment, defamation and death threats by a man with whom she was previously in a relationship.

Police identified the accused as Lalo Dafda of Lathi in Amreli district. Officials said the woman had earlier filed an FIR against Dafda at Shapar Veraval police station on March 31 over allegations of blackmail and extortion, following which he was arrested. However, after securing bail and being released from jail, Dafda allegedly resumed harassing and threatening her online.

According to the latest FIR, the accused contacted the woman’s husband through Instagram between May 1 and May 15. During the exchanges, he allegedly abused the complainant and threatened to kill her and her son.

Police said Dafda also allegedly uploaded private photographs of himself and the complainant, taken during their past relationship, on Instagram in an attempt to defame her before her husband and family members.

The complainant stated that she had come in contact with Dafda through Instagram around eight months ago while she was staying with her parents in Shapar Veraval after separating from her husband. Their relationship later turned sour after she tried to end contact with him.

The woman alleged that Dafda started blackmailing her by threatening to make her private photographs viral on social media and extorted Rs 60,000 and gold jewellery from her.

Police said the complainant later shifted to Junagadh with her parents and approached the local police after receiving fresh threats from the accused.

A case has been registered under Sections 351(3) and 296(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).