Koppal: Seven persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault and blackmail of a minor girl in Koppal district, police said.According to the complaint, the victim was a Class-9 student when she came into contact with a youth from her village. The family alleged that the youth gained her trust, sexually assaulted her and recorded the act on his mobile phone.The complaint states that the video was later shared with his friends and used to threaten the girl. Several persons allegedly showed her the video and warned that it would be uploaded on social media if she did not cooperate with them. The victim alleged that she was repeatedly subjected to sexual assault and blackmail over nearly a year.The girl’s mother lodged a complaint on Aug 8, following which a case was registered under the Pocso Act.According to the complaint, Harsha had allegedly taken the girl from Koppal bus stand on Oct 10, 2025, and assaulted her after taking her to the outskirts of a village. The incident was allegedly recorded on video, which was later shared with others.Koppal SP Ram L Arasiddi said seven accused persons had been arrested and remanded in judicial custody. Police said five of them were arrested on charges of sexual assault, while two others were booked for allegedly blackmailing and extorting the victim using the video.The arrested accused have been identified as Kiran Kumar Tondihal, Harsha Police Patil, Ramesh Chippavar, Mallappa Harijan, Siddalingappa Valmiki, Kiran Kumar Adoni and Fakirappa Dharmapur.The case was registered at the Koppal Women’s police station and has since been transferred to Koppal Rural police station for further investigation.
