NEW DELHI: A 16-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and blackmailed with objectionable videos by a Delhi-based YouTuber, who was arrested and booked under the POCSO Act after her family approached police earlier this week.Police said the complaint was received on August 4 after the girl’s mother disclosed that the alleged abuse had continued for nearly a year. The family initially approached police over a domestic dispute, but during counselling and questioning, they disclosed the alleged sexual exploitation and blackmail.According to a senior police officer, the suspect first contacted the teenager through social media last year and gradually gained her trust.During one of their meetings, he allegedly gave her something to eat and drink, causing her to lose consciousness, and sexually assaulted her while recording objectionable photographs and videos without her consent.Investigators said the suspect allegedly used the material to threaten the girl and repeatedly coerced her into maintaining a physical relationship over the following months.Police said the suspect later allegedly exploited the situation and pressured the girl into marrying him in March this year. She was 15 when the alleged abuse began. Even after the marriage, he allegedly continued recording intimate photographs and videos and used them to blackmail and control her.“The survivor also alleged that he subjected her to violent and unnatural sexual acts,” the police officer said.Police said the girl’s mother was aware of the alleged abuse but remained silent after the suspect allegedly threatened to leak the explicit material if the family approached police. As the alleged violence escalated after the marriage, the mother eventually lodged a complaint.During the inquiry, police learnt that the suspect operates a YouTube channel. He was arrested after a case was registered.(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
