Teen from Thane allegedly used Instagram to imprison and assault Nagpur girl for months

Authorities claim a 19-year-old man from Thane lured a 16-year-old girl on Instagram and held her captive in a rented flat in Nagpur's Dighori area for nearly three months. He imposed a "digital arrest," monitoring her via mobile access, relentless video calls and threats to publish compromising images if she defied him. The victim endured repeated rapes, was whipped with a leather belt and received roughly 20 knife injuries while being forced to obey orders such as staying on the terrace for a video call or sleeping under her bed.

Her parents' missing-person complaint led police to the flat on Aug 3, where she was rescued. The accused is now jailed in Nagpur, and investigators have traced the leash strap and belt used in the assaults to two local pet shops, whose owners are being questioned. The case underscores the risks of online grooming and the use of digital tools to enforce physical captivity.