A New Low: Now Rape Videos Sold for Rs 50 in Uttar Pradesh

Hundreds of rape videos are now being sold in many shops across Uttar Pradesh (UP), every day. The prices vary depending upon the “exclusivity” of the clips, from Rs 50 to 150 for videos which are 30 seconds to sometimes five minute long, said a report in The Times of India.

Even though they are sold in huge numbers, the deal is done “under the counter”. Dealers only sell them to people who come with trusted customer’s reference.

“Porn is passe. These real life crimes are the rage,” said a shopkeeper at Agra’s Kasganj market. He also mentioned that the dealers either transfer the videos directly into the customer’s phone or in their pen drives. Sometimes, the culprits themselves post the videos online.

Another shopkeeper told a bunch of teenagers that they might know the girl in the new video he had.

In the video clip, two men have pinned down a girl, who looks to be in her early 20s. Her boyfriend is being beaten up. “Maaf karo, maaf karo” (Please spare me), he is crying. The girl pleads, “Kam se kam, video toh mat utaaro” (At least don’t shoot a video).

A senior cop told The Times of India that rapists record the crime on their phones and blackmail the victims with it. They use the video to stop them from going to the cops or to pressure them into further sexual submission.

In the past, we have conducted raids at Tajganj and Sadar areas and arrested one for selling explicit videos and pirated films. We will continue to raid such places.

Ghule Sushil Chandrabhan, Superintendent of Police, Agra

Rape videos are also available in other cities. Recently, a 21 year-old rape victim committed suicide when she found out that after posting the rape video online, one accused even sold her nude pictures to local residents at Rs 3 per print.

We are aware. We are taking necessary action. But it is difficult, as sales are happening below the counter.

Ajay Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Agra

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has come under fire over the rise in violent crimes against women, with #LawlessUP trending on Twitter this week.

In 2014, there were 337,922 reports of violence against women including rape, molestation and abduction, a 9 percent increase on the previous year, according to official data.

Rape victims in general suffer enormous stigma and endure an archaic and insensitive criminal justice system, women’s rights activists say.

During lengthy trials, victims and their witnesses are sometimes intimidated by the accused who, in some cases, are granted bail by the court.

(With inputs from Reuters and The Times of India.)