A 43-year-old woman from Rajanna Sircilla district was allegedly raped by two men in Secunderabad after she was lured to the city on the pretext of appearing on a television programme meant to resolve marital disputes, police said.
The woman, who has been married for nine years, had reportedly been living separately from her husband for the past two years following disputes linked to dowry harassment. Seeking a resolution, she travelled to Hyderabad to take part in a popular television show that addresses family conflicts.
According to police, one of the accused approached her claiming to have close contacts with the show's organisers and offered to help her get featured on the programme. Trusting his assurance, the woman accompanied him, but instead of being taken to the television studio, she was allegedly taken to Hyder Complex in Ranigunj, Secunderabad.
Assault and escape of the accused
Once inside the complex, the accused allegedly raped the woman. Police said a second man arrived at the location shortly afterward and also sexually assaulted her. The woman, in shock, began screaming for help, prompting both men to flee the scene.
Following the incident, she approached the Mahankali police station and filed a complaint detailing the assault. Based on her statement, police registered a case and launched an investigation. Officers acted swiftly and took both accused into custody.
Police have not released further details regarding the identities of the accused or the exact nature of the charges filed, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are expected to record further statements and gather additional evidence as part of the case.
Context
Crimes involving the misuse of trust — particularly cases where victims are misled under the guise of media or institutional assistance — have drawn scrutiny from women's safety advocates in Telangana in recent years. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly urged citizens to verify the credentials of individuals claiming affiliation with television programmes, event organisers, or public platforms before proceeding with meetings, especially those arranged outside official premises.
The case has been registered under relevant sections of the law dealing with sexual assault, and police officials indicated that further legal proceedings will follow once the investigation is complete.