HC delines anticipatory bail to youth who raped minor

The Madras High Court today refused to grant anticipatory bail to a youth who allegedly abducted and raped a minor girl, videographed it and threatened her that it would be uploaded on WhatsApp.
According to prosecution, the father of the girl had filed a complaint stating that her daughter was missing from May 1. Later it was found that one Ajith had abducted and raped the 16-year-old and photographed and videographed it and threatened her that he will upload it on WhatsApp.
He allegedly forced her to have physical relationship with his friends, threatening her.
The girl, however, escaped from his clutches.

She was produced before the Judicial Magistrate III, Erode, before whom she gave a statement under Section 164 CrPC that she escaped from his clutches and with the help of public she reached her native place and gave a complaint to police.
Justice S Vaidyanathan of the Madrasw HC said that "considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also taking note of the heinous offence committed by the accused, this court is not inclined to grant the relief sought by the petitioner", the judge said.
"This court also observes that cyber crimes, that too through WhatsApp are increasing day-by-day. Though good messages are also shared through WhatsApp, instances like this are quite common nowadays".

"Technological advancement should be a boon and should not be a bane to the existing peaceful living of the mankind. Therefore, WhatsApp users, especially women, need to be more careful before placing a picture as their profile photo and sharing their photos to their friends or to other WhatsApp groups, as prevention is better than cure", the judge said.