Student raped by 'friend' at knifepoint

The Chembur police on Sunday arrested a management student on charges of raping his college mate at knifepoint. The victim, a first year BMM (Bachelor of Mass Media) student, had visited the residence of accused Pankaj Mishra, a third year BMM student, after he promised to assist her in her project work, the police said. The duo had become friends after getting to know each other four months ago on a social networking site on the internet.


The incident occurred on July 21 when the victim went to the Chembur home of Mishra. Investigators said Mishra asked the girl to wait in his house for some time when she was about to leave. "The victim said that Mishra stopped her when she tried to leave the house. Threatening her with a knife, he then repeatedly raped her the whole night. She was allowed to go home only the next day," senior inspector Bhimdev Rathod said.
Both the accused and the victim, who hails from a business family, underwent a medical examination on Monday. Mishra has been booked for rape and issuing a threat to life.
During interrogation, Mishra said he had come into contact with the girl four months ago while going through his friends' profiles on an online social networking site. "He then befriended the victim and used to chat with her online every day. They met personally when the college started after the summer holidays," a police officer said.