An 18-year-old student from Secunderabad, who was earlier arrested for sexually assaulting and blackmailing a 16-year-old girl, was sentenced to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment by a Nampally court on Wednesday. The court also imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on the accused.
The accused has been identified as Asham Aakash Kumar, a resident of New Mettugud. He was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenders Act (POCSO) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The case dates back to 2019. Police said the minor victim, a college student, was stalked by Aakash Kumar, who was her senior and an acquaintance through Instagram. He gained her trust, manipulated her emotionally and captured intimate photographs of her, which he later used to blackmail her for money, leading the victim to steal from her home. He continued to abuse and threaten her for a long time, sexually assaulting her.
The matter came to light when the girl’s parents, alerted by her college about her absence, interrogated her. After her discovery, a complaint was lodged at the Lallaguda police station and the case was referred to the Bharosa center for counseling and support.
The Bharosa team provided counseling and emotional support to survivors who were initially withdrawn and fearful. Medical evidence was also collected at the centre. Police said the girl has now recovered and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering.
Published – 12 Nov 2025 20:30 IST
