Nagpur girl who vanished after Free Fire friendship found safe in UP, youth held

A friendship struck up while playing a mobile game ended up taking a minor girl to another state altogether. A 17-year-old student from Nagpur came into contact with a young man on the mobile game Free Fire, and this contact gradually turned into an online friendship. It was through this friendship that she ended up travelling to Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh.

The student went missing from her home on September 7, within the limits of Nagpur's Beltarodi police station. When her family realised she was missing, they filed a complaint with the Beltarodi police, following which police registered a case and began investigating. During the investigation, police started examining her mobile phone and her online contacts.

The investigation revealed that the girl had been in contact with a young man living in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. According to police, the two had got to know each other while playing the mobile game Free Fire. Conversations that began over the game gradually turned into an online friendship.

The investigation also found that 18-year-old Suraj Kumar Rajput, a resident of Sitapur, used to talk to the girl online constantly. It is alleged that he lured the minor girl into coming to Sitapur, after which she travelled there from Nagpur.

After the girl suddenly went missing, her family had approached the police. Recognising the seriousness of the matter, police gathered information about her mobile phone, social media and online contacts. Based on this investigation, a police team travelled to Sitapur.

The police team that reached Sitapur took the girl into custody safely. Along with her, police also took Suraj Kumar Rajput into custody. The girl was then brought back to Nagpur and her medical examination was conducted.

According to information given by the Beltarodi police, the accused youth was arrested after the medical examination confirmed sexual assault. He has been booked on charges of a sexual offence against a minor girl.

Police are currently continuing their investigation into the case. Detailed information about the online conversations and contact between the girl and the accused, and how she travelled to Sitapur, is being gathered as part of the probe.

The case highlights the need for vigilance regarding children and teenagers online gaming and digital friendships formed with strangers. Police are investigating all aspects related to the case.