Surat: A 40-year-old man was arrested by Singanpor police for allegedly raping and blackmailing a 22-year-old woman whom he had met on social media, police said on Sunday.According to the FIR, the accused, a construction site supervisor residing in Surat, came in contact with the woman in Feb 2024 through Snapchat using a fake identity. After developing a relationship, he allegedly revealed his real name but falsely claimed to be unmarried. The accused is married and has a four-year-old daughter.The woman alleged that the accused promised to marry her and took her to various hotels in Surat, where he allegedly raped her. During these visits, he also allegedly took her nude photographs. When she later insisted on marriage, the accused disclosed that he was already married and allegedly pressured her to marry his younger brother so that they could continue their relationship while living in the same household.Police said the accused allegedly threatened to circulate the woman’s photographs among her family members if she refused. Under pressure, the woman married the accused’s younger brother, a 35-year-old diamond worker. After living with her husband for about six months, the woman informed the accused that she wanted to end all contact and focus on her married life.However, the accused allegedly continued to harass and threaten her, following which the woman left her matrimonial home and returned to her parents’ house. As the harassment continued, she lodged a complaint.Police arrested the accused and produced him before a court, which granted one-day police custody. “The accused’s family was unaware of the matter until his arrest. Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether he has victimised any other women,” a police officer said.
