In a disturbing turn of events, popular Bengali YouTuber Arabinda Mandal, along with his teenage son, has been apprehended by the police in West Bengal. The arrests follow a formal complaint filed by the parents of a 15-year-old girl who had been assisting Mandal and his son with their content creation. The FIR, registered under the stringent POCSO Act, outlines grave accusations against the duo, including the alleged filming of the minor in a compromising situation while she was changing clothes.
Sources indicate that Mandal, who commands a significant following on social media, and his son allegedly exploited their position and the girl’s trust. The complaint details that after secretly filming the girl, Mandal began blackmailing her. The situation escalated when both Mandal and his son reportedly assaulted her in their residence, located near the victim’s home.
The girl’s family, who had initially trusted the 42-year-old YouTuber, only became aware of the alleged abuse and torture two days prior to the complaint, when their daughter confided in them about her ordeal. Following a medical examination of the victim, authorities took Mandal into three-day police custody. His son, being a minor, was produced before the juvenile court and subsequently sent to a juvenile home.
This incident highlights a worrying trend of exploitation and abuse within the creator community. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the matter.