Thane teenager raped by social media friend; FIR filed

Thane: Police have filed a complaint against a 24-year-old man for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl living in his neighbourhood in Maharashtra’s Thane district after the two became friends through social media, an official said on Monday.

The accused and the victim, who both live in the same building in Badlapur district, became friends on Instagram in 2021.

Between October 2021 and June 2024, the accused allegedly raped her and took indecent pictures of her. The man threatened to share the pictures on social media and raped her multiple times, said the officer of Badlapur police station.

Fed up with the harassment, the victim filed a complaint with the police. Based on the complaint, charges were filed against the accused on Sunday under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the official said.