A 47-year-old psychologist has been arrested in Nagpur for allegedly raping and blackmailing at least 50 girls over the past 15 years. The psychologist, identified as Rajesh Dhoke, a father of two, lured young girls under the guise of providing counselling at residential camps.
Three cases have been registered against Rajesh under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Detailing his modus operandi, police said Rajesh organised personal development camps in rural areas like Bhandara and Gondia. In these camps, Rajesh would rape and sexually abuse the girls.
He also used to capture explicit photographs of the victims and then blackmail them to ensure they did not report the incidents to the police. Even after the girls were married, he would keep raping them by issuing threats.
Rajesh has also been accused of molesting several women in his locality. The police have obtained CCTV footage showing Rajesh engaging in inappropriate behaviour towards women. Due to this, the psychologist had been thrashed several times, but there was no change in his antics.
The matter came to light after one of his former students, fed up with repeated threats and abuse, lodged a complaint with Hudkeshwar police. Given the seriousness of the allegations, the police have formed a special probe committee and encouraged other survivors to come forward.
Source: India Today