Before the teenager who refused "special services" in a Uttarakhand resort was murdered, she had sent messages to her friend on WhatsApp, seemingly confirming the allegations of her being forced into prostitution, NDTV reported on Sunday, 25 September.
While describing her experience working in the resort as a receptionist, one of the messages read, "They are trying to turn me into a prostitute." The screenshots of these texts have gone viral on the internet.
The police have said that an initial investigation shows that the messages were from the victim, but a more rigorous forensic analysis will also be conducted.
The victim had also told her friend about an incident where she was inappropriately touched by a guest who later asked her not to do anything as he was intoxicated.
Furthermore, a call recording audio clip, reportedly from the victim, is being shared where she can be heard crying on the phone.
A Facebook friend of the victim has also mentioned that she was killed because she refused to offer "special services" to the guests in the resort owned by Pulkit Arya.
The owner of the resort Pulkit Arya, manager Saurabh Bhaskar, and assistant manager Ankit Gupta confessed to the crime after the police questioned them and now have been arrested for the murder of the teenager.
This incident has shocked the country, where people have openly criticised the Bharat Janata Party. The party has now expelled Pulkit Arya's father, Vinod Arya, and his brother from the party.
Civic authorities have also taken action by demolishing parts of the resort after deeming it "illegal." The remaining parts were torched by angry locals who demanded the complete demolition of the resort.
An angry mob also attacked the police car in which the three accused were being taken to court.
The state's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami promised "the harshest action" against those involved in the heinous crime.
'He is a Simple Boy', Says Prime Accused's Father
Vinod Arya on Sunday described his son Pulkit as a 'seedha sadha balak' (a simple boy). He has denied all allegations that have been levelled against his son and claimed that he is innocent.
"Seedha sadha balak hai (he is a simple boy). He is only concerned about his work. I want justice for both my son Pulkit and the murdered woman," Vinod Arya remarked.
"He would never indulge in such activities," he added.
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