RAJKOT: A 29-year-old married man has been arrested for allegedly raping his 22-year-old sister at knifepoint, twice in a six-week period, at their house in a village near Talaja town of Bhavnagar district.
After the offence was perpetrated for the second time, the victim called the 181 helpline for women who face violence. She was taken to Talaja police station on Wednesday and registered an FIR against her brother.
According to police sources, the 22-year-old woman said that she was in a romantic relationship with a young man from her village for the last three years, which her brother was aware of.
He used this information to blackmail her. The accused has one child and works as a driver.
On July 13 and Aug 22, when she was home alone, her brother raped her at knifepoint. He also branded the victim with a bidi on her right thigh. After the second offence, the victim called 181 which led to the crime coming to the attention of police. The victim is unmarried and was living with her brother and their parents.
According to the investigating officer, D P Khambhla, a knife used by the accused, as well as the clothes worn during the crime have been seized. Both victim and accused have undergone medical examinations and police have recorded statements.
Investigators said the accused committed the crime first when his wife was away visiting her parents, and the second time when she had left the house for some work. He has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 64(2)(F)(M) and 115 (2).
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)