Police have intensified their crackdown on a disturbing rape and blackmail racket targeting female college students, with the arrest of a third suspect on Saturday. The accused, identified as Abrar, also known as Ali Khan, was named in an FIR filed at Ashoka Garden Police Station. This follows the arrests of prime suspect Farhan Khan, alias Faraz, and another accomplice, Saad, as the investigation deepens into a case that has shocked the city. Farhan Khan was presented in court and remanded to three days of police custody by Bag Sewania police on Friday for further questioning. Authorities believe interrogating Farhan could reveal critical details, including the total number of victims targeted by the group.

 

A senior police official disclosed that the number of suspects has now risen to seven, with indications that the victim count across four related cases may also grow, as evidence suggests the group preyed on numerous girls over several years. The investigation has uncovered a chilling pattern where a group, including former students of a prominent private college, lured female students into traps, sexually assaulted them, and recorded explicit videos. These videos were then used to blackmail the victims, coercing them into introducing other girls who faced similar abuse. The racket came to light after a courageous victim filed an FIR against Farhan Khan at Bag Sewania Police Station, prompting swift police action. Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra confirmed the latest arrest and stated that ongoing investigations might lead to more suspects being apprehended. The case, drawing parallels to past high-profile scandals, has sparked outrage, with police urging other potential victims to come forward. As the probe continues, Bhopal police remain committed to dismantling the network and ensuring justice for the victims, while the city grapples with the scale of the crime.