Gangrape accused had allegedly organised multiple parties earlier too

Investigations into the case where a 19-year-old girl has alleged gangrape at a party in a villa in Jakkur have led to the discovery of an alleged network of parties organised by the accused at villas and star hotels of the city, where police suspect there may have been more victims. Police suspect a wider racket involving the exploitation and blackmail of young women. 

Code words used

Police have arrested Nikhil, a resident of Basaveshwaranagar, who is accused of organising exclusive villa parties advertised as “sugar daddy–sugar baby”. Police said young women below 25 years were tagged as “sugar babies” and men above 45 years as “sugar daddies”, with coded passwords used for entry to these parties.

Police suspect that the accused lured young women with promises of money, gifts, and luxury experiences. In certain cases, investigators believe drinks may have been spiked, followed by sexual assault. The accused allegedly recorded photos and videos of the acts and later used them to blackmail victims for money. Police are now collecting details of previous events and verifying how many such gatherings were organised.

The Jakkur villa, where the alleged gangrape happened, is owned by a senior police officer, who had leased it to a person, who then had listed it on an online marketplace for short-term stays, where the accused hired the villa for the party. Police have ruled out any knowledge of the party or the incident involving the police officer. 

A day before the woman lodged her complaint with Amruthahalli Police alleging gangrape, Nikhil had lodged a complaint alleging honey trap and extortion against the woman. While doing so, he had furnished multiple photographs taken on his mobile phone as evidence. 

Missing phone

However, his phone had gone missing by the time the Amruthahalli Police arrested him in the gangrape case. He has reportedly claimed he has given it for repair. Investigators have seized the mobile phones of five accused persons and are examining WhatsApp chats and call records to establish the sequence of events and identify other possible victims and participants.

Investigators are also examining how many mobile devices were used by the accused and whether others were involved in facilitating bookings, logistics, and guest coordination. Police said the probe is progressing on multiple angles, and more arrests are likely based on digital and forensic evidence. So far, statements of seven witnesses have been recorded.

Sources said City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh is personally monitoring the probe into the case.