A woman aged 25, who was pursuing PhD in Gwalior, allegedly died by suicide at her house in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia after accusing a man of violating her sexually and blackmailing her by filming her obscene videos, the police reported on Wednesday. As per police, they have taken the accused into custody, while the incident has sparked outrage across the state.

Sources said the victim also left behind a suicide note, penning down the circumstances which compelled her to take the extreme step.

Woman drugged, assaulted in hotel by brother’s friend

According to police, the woman was living in Gwalior and had enrolled in a PhD course. During this, she became acquainted with a man identified as Yogesh Rawat, her brother’s friend. The investigating police personnel alleged that Rawat called the woman to a hotel in Gwalior, where he allegedly forced her to consume an intoxicating substance. Once she lost consciousness, Rawat allegedly violated her sexually and recorded obscene videos of the act.

The police said the accused blackmailed the woman using the videos and also threatened to circulate them on social media. On the basis of the same, Rawat called the woman again to a hotel, where he outraged her modesty for the second time.

According to police officials, the incidents took place on March 13 and March 15, 2026, respectively.

Victim files FIR, returns home, hangs self

The distressed woman approached Gwalior’s Padav Police and lodged a complaint on March 15 against Rawat. Soon after this, she returned to her native town Datia where she later hanged herself.

Cops swoop down on accused, probe on

After the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Rawat and learnt that the victim had ended her life, they arrested Rawat from Ashok Nagar. Sub-inspector Santosh Bhadauria said the complainant had informed the cops she had gone to Phool Bagh with a friend, before being taken to a hotel, where ‘wrong acts’ had been committed against her.

The police said they are working out the case to establish the exact sequence of events, examine digital evidence and verify the allegations mentioned in the suicide note.