Ahmedabad: Kheda district police arrested eight men for allegedly raping a minor for nearly three years. The accused, one of whom is absconding, allegedly sexually exploited, blackmailed and threatened a minor girl. The cops said that the survivor, who is now 17, was allegedly lured into a relationship by the main accused, identified as Parvez Pathan, around two years ago. Investigators allege that after gaining her trust, he and eight others sexually assaulted her repeatedly as part of a conspiracy. The abuse is alleged to have continued from the Ramadan period of 2023 until 2025.Seven others who have been arrested along with Parvez are: Mahir Khan Pathan (24), Faizan Khan Pathan (23), Taufiq Khan Pathan (23), Ayan Khan Pathan (19), Moin Khan Pathan (22), Marukh Khan Pathan (25) and Salman Khan Pathan (26). The cops said that Sahil Pathan, the ninth accused, is absconding.The accused allegedly recorded explicit videos of the girl and used them to blackmail her. She was allegedly threatened with death and told the material would be shared on social media if she resisted or reported it to anyone. Kheda superintendent of police, Vijay Patel, said the matter came to light after the girl’s family learned about the abuse and approached police.Kheda Town police registered offences under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections related to rape, gang rape, criminal intimidation and conspiracy, along with sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, he said. He further stated that eight of the nine accused have now been arrested, and further investigation is underway. Officers have also been collecting technical and forensic evidence to strengthen the case. The accused were taken to the alleged crime scene as part of reconstruction proceedings.
