Nagpur: A social-media friendship that allegedly turned into a sexual assault has exposed the serious risks faced by minors while interacting with strangers online. MIDC police have registered a case against a 21-year-old man from Warora in Chandrapur district after a 16-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted following their acquaintance on Instagram.
The matter came to light only after the girl’s health deteriorated and her family took her to a hospital for medical treatment. During examination, doctors reportedly found that she was around four months pregnant, following which the family learnt about the alleged sexual assault and approached the police.
Gold Rate
Sept 17,2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
Police have registered a case against Manish Moharle, 21, a resident of Warora, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The investigation is currently underway.
Friendship began on Instagram
According to police, the survivor is a first-year BA student at a college in the Sitabuldi area of Nagpur. She had reportedly come into contact with the accused through Instagram some time ago.
Their interaction allegedly continued through social media, with the two developing a friendship. Police are now examining the nature and duration of their online communication and are also investigating how the accused allegedly arranged to meet the girl.
Investigators are examining the digital trail, including their Instagram conversations and other communications, as part of the probe.
Alleged assault at secluded location
According to the complaint, on April 30, the accused allegedly took the girl in a four-wheeler to a secluded location near Narmada Nagari in the Hingna area.
The complaint alleges that the accused sexually assaulted the girl at the location. The girl reportedly did not immediately disclose the alleged incident to her family.
Police are now attempting to establish the sequence of events leading up to the alleged assault, including the circumstances in which the girl was taken to the location and the communications between the two before and after the incident.
Pregnancy brings alleged assault to light
The matter surfaced after the girl’s health began deteriorating. Her family took her to hospital for treatment, where a medical examination reportedly revealed that she was approximately four months pregnant.
The medical finding alerted the family to the seriousness of the situation. Following this, they approached the MIDC police and lodged a complaint against the accused.
On the basis of the complaint, police registered the case and launched an investigation.
Digital trail under scrutiny
MIDC police are examining the alleged Instagram friendship as well as the subsequent meetings between the accused and the girl.
Investigators are expected to establish when the two first came into contact, how frequently they communicated, whether they met before April 30 and what communications took place around the alleged incident.
The police are also examining other circumstances surrounding the alleged assault and the subsequent discovery of the pregnancy.
POCSO provisions invoked
Since the girl was 16 years old at the time of the alleged offence, police have invoked provisions of the POCSO Act, which provides a special legal framework for offences involving children.
The case is being investigated by MIDC police, and further legal action will depend on the evidence and facts emerging during the investigation.
The case has also highlighted the need for parents and guardians to remain alert to the risks associated with minors interacting with unknown persons through social-media platforms. At the same time, police are examining the specific circumstances of this case, including the digital evidence and the statements of those involved.
