In a shocking incident of social media-driven crime, a group of women in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, allegedly abducted young girls, assaulted them, and recorded the abuse to post online for fame. The gang, locally named the “Lady Gang,” has been arrested by the Gwarighat police following a complaint from one of the victims.
According to police reports, members of the gang would lure girls with threats of knives and take them to isolated areas where they recorded the assaults. Videos showing the victims being kicked, slapped, and even smoked on were uploaded to Instagram in a bid to make them go viral.
The incident came into the public domain after one of the videos of the assault went viral on social media. Traumatised by the experience, the victim approached the Gwarighat Police Station and lodged a formal complaint. The police sprang into action and arrested three members of the gang on Saturday.
Two minors involved in the crime
The accused include two minors, both 17-year-old, and a 25-year-old woman. Police confirmed that one of the minors was the leader of the gang. The two teens have been sent to a juvenile home, and the adult has been remanded to jail. Officials also said that none of the accused had prior records; the attacks were solely carried out to seek social media attention and fame.
According to Subhash Chand Baghel, a police officer with the Gwarighat police station, “This is a case of social media ambition that crossed all morals and legal boundaries. The gang targeted innocent girls for online notoriety.”
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience covering Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes that every voice matters, and journalism has a vital role to play in amplifying those voices. Sofia is committed to creating impact and shedding light on stories that truly matter. Beyond her work in the newsroom, she is also a music enthusiast who enjoys singing.
