A 29-year-old woman was allegedly held hostage and raped by a man she had befriended on social media. The harrowing incident occurred on Friday within the jurisdiction of the Mangalwara Police Station. The accused, identified as Haris Khan, reportedly lured the victim to a hotel on Hamidia Road, where he confined her for three hours before sexually assaulting her. According to the police, the incident took place late Friday night when the woman was returning home after visiting a relative at a local hospital.

 

The victim stated that she received a call from Khan, whom she knew through a social media platform. Khan allegedly pressured her to meet him immediately, threatening to defame her if she did not comply. Fearing for her reputation, the woman agreed to meet him. Khan arrived at her location on a motorcycle and forced her to ride pillion. He then took her to a hotel situated on Hamidia Road. The victim told the police that she was kept in a room against her will for approximately three hours. During this period, the accused allegedly sexually assaulted her.

 

While she was being held, her family members made repeated attempts to contact her via telephone, but the accused forcibly prevented her from responding to the calls. The accused released the woman around midnight, after which she reached home and narrated the ordeal to her husband. The family initially approached the Mangalwara Police with allegations of gang rape. However, based on the victim’s formal statement and preliminary investigation, the police confirmed that only one individual, Haris Khan, was involved in the crime. Mangalwara Police Station In-charge Ajay Soni stated that a criminal case has been registered and the accused has been identified. “We have formed multiple police teams to track his location and ensure a swift arrest. The victim has been sent for a medical examination as per protocol,” Soni added.