Rajkot youth booked for exploitation on pretext of marriage, cousin alleges betrayal

The Navrangpura police have registered a case against a 25-year-old Rajkot resident for allegedly raping his cousin repeatedly over months after promising to marry her. The accused, identified as Jay Parmar, allegedly severed ties with the survivor after getting engaged to another woman, prompting the victim to approach the authorities.

According to police, the complaint was filed on Friday by a 21-year-old woman hailing from another district who had moved to Ahmedabad in April 2025 to pursue professional baking classes. During her stay at a local paying guest accommodation near Commerce Six Roads, she was allegedly pursued by the accused, who is her maternal aunt’s son.

The victim stated in her complaint that Parmar began contacting her frequently under the guise of inquiring about her studies. In June the accused allegedly proposed marriage. Despite the victim initially citing their familial relationship as a barrier, Parmar reportedly persisted, eventually winning her confidence.

“The accused lured the survivor into a relationship by repeatedly promising marriage. On the victim's birthday, he visited her in Ahmedabad and further reinforced these promises. a senior police official privy to the investigation said.

The police official further revealed details that during the months of August, September, and October, Parmar allegedly took the victim to a hotel located on Ashram Road. It is alleged that he had physical relations with her on multiple occasions at the establishment by reiterating his intent to marry her.

The matter came to light after the victim, who had returned to her hometown following the completion of her course, discovered that Parmar had recently become engaged to a woman in Rajkot. When confronted via a phone call, the accused reportedly refused to honour his promise of marriage and told the victim to stop contacting him.

Distraught by the betrayal, the woman confided in her parents and uncle before travelling to Ahmedabad to lodge a formal complaint at the Navrangpura Police Station.

Based on the woman’s statement, the police have booked Parmar under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to rape and breach of trust.

“We have recorded the complainant’s statement and the process of medical examination has been initiated. We are currently verifying the hotel records mentioned in the complaint. Efforts are under way to apprehend the accused,” the investigating officer stated.