A day after media reports about “rape video” being available in markets in Agra, CD shop owners in Meerut, said there was “nothing new” in the controversy.
All the CD shop owners in Meerut The Hindu talked to said they did not sell “rape videos” but accepted that they had heard about it. They also refused to come on record due to fear of police action since media reported about “rape videos” being available in west UP markets. Meanwhile, Agra police raided many shops but failed to seize any “rape video”.
A seller of CD in Meerut told The Hindu that there was no organised gang behind “rape videos”.
“Heinous crimes like rape do happen very often in western UP. Since the advent of mobile phone, criminals or acquaintances of the victim have started recording the crime also to blackmail the victim. Earlier it used to happen that these videos used to find their way to Watsapp groups from where they used to go viral. Since last few years, it seems that some times criminals also give it to those who sell CDs of porn movies,” said the seller who did not want to be named fearing police action.
“I do not sell rape videos but I do have heard about it from people in my profession. Rape videos exist but there is nothing new about it. It has been going on for quite some time now. As far as I know individuals who are in touch with criminals usually do it an unorganised level,” he added.
Another shopowner in a busy market area in Meerut, however rejected that rape videos were sold only in Agra or western UP. He alleged that these videos were also available in places like Palika Bazar in Delhi.
“Why do you want to brand only this region. Watching rape videos could be a very crude and crass thing but it is found every where. Even in Palika bazar you would be able to get your hands on it,” he added.
