New Delhi, April 29 (IANS) The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Wednesday took suo motu cognisance of a deeply disturbing report concerning large-scale sexual exploitation of women and minor girls in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur, and has sought a detailed report on the matter within seven days.

This case is from Kolhapur, where a pharmacy student has been accused of abusing multiple young women, recording explicit videos, and allegedly using them for blackmail. The development comes soon after the arrest of a man in Amravati for sexually exploiting minor girls.

In an official statement, the NCW said, “The Commission has strongly condemned these heinous acts, stating that such exploitation causes severe physical and psychological trauma and creates fear and insecurity among women and families. The incident also raises serious concerns about digital safety and cyber monitoring.”

It further stated, “The Hon’ble Chairperson has directed the DGP, Maharashtra, to ensure immediate and stringent action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, POCSO Act, and IT Act, including identification of all victims, arrest of all accused and accomplices, removal of objectionable content from online platforms, and a thorough cyber forensic investigation.”

The Commission also noted that it has sought comprehensive details regarding victim protection measures, including counselling, medical aid, rehabilitation support, and steps being taken to prevent such incidents of blackmail and exploitation networks in the future.

An Action Taken Report has been formally requested within a period of seven days.

According to officials, the case involves a 22-year-old accused, Shahid Sameer Sanadi, a resident of Hatkanangle taluka in Kolhapur, who allegedly used social media platforms to befriend women and minor girls, exploit them sexually, record explicit content, and later use it to threaten them, pointing towards the possibility of a wider criminal network.

A local court has remanded the accused to four days of police custody.

As per the complaint, the accused reportedly gained the victim’s trust through social media interactions before taking her to lodges in Kolhapur and Shiroli, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her and secretly recorded videos.

These videos were then allegedly circulated among his associates and used as a tool for intimidation and coercion.

Police officials said that the accused allegedly threatened the victim that the videos would be made public if she disclosed the abuse to anyone, resulting in repeated instances of mental and physical exploitation.

Further details are awaited.

–IANS

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