College student rapes classmate, threatens to leak photos, extorts Rs 14 lakh in gold

A college student in Ahmedabad has accused her classmate of rape, blackmail and taking gold jewellery worth more than Rs 14 lakh. Police have registered an FIR and begun a search for the accused, who is absconding.College classmate lures Ahmedabad student into relationship, rapes and blackmails herA college relationship in Gujarat's Ahmedabad allegedly turned into a case of rape, blackmail and theft after a student accused her classmate of repeatedly having sex with her against her wishes and later threatening to leak her intimate photographs.The accused, identified as Hardik Panchal, allegedly persuaded the woman to enter a relationship by promising marriage before taking her to hotels and sexually assaulting her, according to the complaint. He later allegedly threatened to circulate her intimate photographs when she refused to give him money.The threats allegedly led the woman to hand over gold jewellery belonging to her elder sister, worth more than Rs 14 lakh, to Panchal between June 7 and August 12.Nikole police in Ahmedabad have registered an FIR against Panchal under Sections 65(2)(m), 316(2) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He is currently absconding. PROMISE OF MARRIAGE, THEN ALLEGED RAPEAccording to police, the woman was in the second year of college when she became friends with Panchal, who was studying in the same class, in December 2025.The two later entered into a relationship. Panchal allegedly told her that he had informed his father, Ashok Panchal, about their relationship and that they would soon get married. Police said Panchal allegedly used the promise of marriage to gain her trust.In March, he allegedly took the woman to a hotel, where he had sexual intercourse with her against her wishes. Police said he subsequently allegedly forced himself on her several times at different hotels.REFUSAL TO GIVE MONEY LED TO ALLEGED BLACKMAILSome time later, Panchal allegedly told the woman that his father had suffered losses in the textile business and asked her for financial help.When she refused, police said Panchal allegedly threatened to circulate her intimate photographs on social media.Fearing that the photographs would be made public, the woman allegedly handed over gold jewellery kept in her family's home locker.Between June 7 and August 12, she allegedly gave Panchal 144.51 grams of gold jewellery belonging to her elder sister, with the ornaments valued at more than Rs 14 lakh.Panchal allegedly sold the jewellery and told the woman that he would soon have new ornaments made in the same designs and return them to her.SISTER DISCOVERS GOLD MISSING FROM LOCKERThe alleged fraud came to light when the woman's sister had to visit her in-laws and checked the family locker at home. She found that her gold jewellery was missing.The woman's father, who works as a plumber, questioned her about the missing ornaments. The woman then told him that she had given the jewellery to Panchal.Her father subsequently contacted Panchal over the phone and asked him about the jewellery. When he did not receive a satisfactory response, he also spoke to Panchal's parents.However, the family allegedly failed to provide a clear answer.Panchal later allegedly told the woman that he did not have the money and could not get the jewellery remade.He then allegedly threatened her again, warning that he would circulate her intimate photographs if she continued to pressure him over the missing gold.WOMAN APPROACHES POLICEWith the threats continuing and the jewellery not being returned, the woman eventually decided to approach the police.Nikole police have registered the FIR and launched an investigation. Police said a panchnama has been carried out and the woman's medical examination will also be conducted.Nikole police inspector SA Desai said the investigation was underway."The woman was studying at a private college in Ahmedabad and had become friends with Hardik, who was studying in the same class. He later gained her trust and had physical relations with her against her wishes more than once," Desai said.He added that Panchal allegedly threatened to circulate her photographs and sold jewellery worth more than Rs 14 lakh.Police said Panchal, who lives in Amraiwadi, remains absconding and efforts are underway to trace and arrest him.- EndsPublished By: Sonali VermaPublished On: Aug 22, 2026 16:45 IST