Nagpur Psychologist Arrested for Molesting 50 Students Over 15 Years

On Monday, police in the city detained a 47-year-old psychologist on the suspicion of molesting and threatening at least 50 students over the past 15 years. The psychologist, whose name has been withheld by the police, allegedly exploited the trust bestowed on him as an advisor and a counselor to guide vulnerable rural under-achievers.

Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal has also formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the matter. The team, headed by Deputy Commissioner Rashmitha Rao, comprises district child protection officials and members of the child welfare committee to provide technical and legal support.

Hudkeshwar police says that the arrested ran a private clinic and had residential programs running in east Nagpur, claiming to counsel girls while providing them with personal development training. There are three charges filed against him: under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses or POCSO Act.

The case came into the limelight on Sunday, when a married 27-year-old lady once one of his students went to the Hudkeshwar police to complain about the psychologist for using pornographic photos from her time at his school as a mode of blackmail, and with husband’s support lodged the complaint as well as telling the long-term history of abuses.

The police sought out other survivors after she had complained and told them to step up and tell her story. In fact, though, most did not come to do so in light of its painfulness that they could just avoid; such people also lived in fear of social shame that may haunt and family repercussions associated with this aspect.

Investigations revealed that the accused had a history of attracting female students attending personal development camps in remote areas like Bhandara and Gondia. He would drink, allegedly sexually abuse the females, and record them while they were in the camps. Later, he would blackmail the victims by threatening to ruin their careers and damage their reputations if they came forward to expose his wrongdoing.

By promising to help them develop their academic, professional, and interpersonal abilities, the psychologist was also known to persuade parents to enroll their kids in his programs. According to an investigating officer who spoke to HT, he was able to further manage his charges because many parents trusted him as their “local guardian.”

He continued to indulge in this act for many years, and he even threatened to “expose” them when they got married. The case against him got strengthened when he was found carrying some explicit photographs and videos in his phone later.

“Three survivors have come out against the psychotherapist, who is an accused. We are hoping that more victims would come forward to file complaints too,” said Rashmitha Rao. To silence his victims, the accused used the position of trust he enjoyed to resort to threats and intimidation. We are working to make a strong case so that justice is delivered,” she added.

Two women are being held on suspicion of helping the psychologist to recruit pupils into his programs. One is claimed to have played an active part in the operations, having previously been a pupil herself and gone on to marry one of those under suspicion.

The case has sparked outrage and renewed demands for stronger laws to shield kids and teens from being taken advantage of by those in positions of authority.