Surat: Instagram ‘friend’ rapes 21-year-old

SURAT: A 24-year-old man from Variav village adjoining the city was booked for allegedly raping a woman whom he befriended on Instagram even as the duo got formally engaged with approval from her family.
The accused Ikram Fancy had befriended the 21-year-old woman living in his neighbouring locality and promised to marry her. However, when she asked him to marry her, Fancy told her that he would have to take the consent of his parents. Jahangirpura police said that the woman had also attempted suicide by consuming something poisonous as she got fed up of his excuses.
After this, parents of Fancy and the woman accepted their relationship and got them engaged. Later, Fancy used to take her to a hotel in Hazira where they developed a physical relationship several times.
Recently, Fancy’s family told the woman’s parents that they don’t wish to get him married to her. On the other hand, Fancy allegedly kept calling the woman and pressured her to meet.
The woman felt cheated as he reneged on the marriage promise despite developing physical relations several times. She first contacted 181 Abhyam helpline and later lodged a complaint.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)