NEW DELHI: A 41-year-old woman was allegedly drugged and raped on the pretext of a job opportunity in east Delhi’s Mandawali area, and later blackmailed with a purported video of the incident, police said on Thursday.Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and are conducting raids to apprehend the accused, who is currently absconding, they added.According to news agency PTI, the woman, a resident of Laxmi Nagar, alleged that the accused, Deepak Bansal of Ganesh Nagar, had befriended her around two years ago and promised to help her secure a job.According to the complaint, Bansal approached the woman on March 4 on the pretext of discussing a job and allegedly gave her a substance that rendered her unconscious. He then allegedly raped her, police said.After regaining consciousness, the woman objected to the alleged assault. Bansal then allegedly threatened to circulate a purported video of the incident on social media, police said.The woman also alleged that the accused took her gold bangles, ring and chain and threatened her with dire consequences if she reported the matter to the police.According to the complaint, the accused claimed to have contacts in the police and threatened to throw acid on the woman if she reported the incident.The woman remained silent for several months due to fear but later approached police after allegedly facing continued harassment from the accused.Police said a case was registered against Bansal at Mandawali police station on September 22 under relevant provisions.Teams are conducting raids at possible locations to trace and apprehend the accused, who is currently absconding.The woman has been provided counselling, they said.(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)(With agency inputs)
