Mumbai: Blackmailed over morphed images, 17-year-old ends life

REPRESENTATION/FILE PIC

A 17-year-old girl from Goregaon West allegedly died by suicide after facing harassment and blackmail by a man. According to the police, the accused demanded money from the victim and threatened to make her "morphed photographs" viral if she did not pay him.

The incident took place on Saturday (November 15) evening. Police have identified the accused as Sanjay Raj, also a Goregaon resident. Goregaon police said they have booked the accused based on the complaint filed by the victim's father.

According to the police, the girl had earlier gone missing on August 19, following which a complaint was registered and the girl was traced to Chennai and brought back. However, since her return, according to the family of the victim, she was constantly in contact with a man - Sanjay Raj.

"A few days ago, the girl's father noticed that the money he kept in his clothes went missing several times, and he confronted her. The victim confided that Sanjay Raj had been demanding money from her and threatening to make her morphed photographs viral," said a police officer. Following this, the victim's father approached the Goregaon police to file a complaint against Sanjay Raj and requested the police to issue him a strict warning. On November 15, he also registered an NC against the accused for issuing threats to his daughter.

Earlier, the police had registered an Accidental Death Report, but later an FIR (abetment of suicide) against the accused was filed, said police, adding that the probe is underway.

Suicide helplines

Asara (24x7)
9820466726

Suicide Prevention and Counselling NGO
Findhelpline.com (Available from Monday to Saturday: 10.00 am to 8.00 pm)
9152987821

National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
8046110007
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