A 28-year-old man, Shivam Sahu, has been arrested in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, for allegedly recording and circulating a private video of his wife following months of reported dowry-related harassment. The couple were married on 10 May 2025, and the woman’s family has alleged that ₹3 lakh was demanded at the time of the wedding, of which ₹2 lakh was paid, while pressure for the remaining amount continued.
Police say that in December 2025, the accused secretly recorded a 13-minute private video and shared it on social media, an adult website, and among relatives. When the survivor objected, he allegedly threatened further defamation. After reportedly going into hiding in Mumbai, he returned on 12 February 2026 to his in-laws’ residence in the Mauganj area carrying a weapon and allegedly threatening the family, leading to his arrest after a police cordon operation.
Officials have confirmed that he has been sent to judicial custody and that a case has been registered under provisions related to dowry harassment, criminal intimidation and the circulation of private content under relevant criminal and information technology laws. Authorities say the investigation is being conducted on priority, electronic devices have been seized for forensic examination, and legal protection is being extended to the survivor.
Dowry Demands And Digital Exploitation Alleged
According to police officials, the case reveals a disturbing intersection of dowry harassment and digital abuse. The woman’s family alleged that soon after the wedding, she began facing sustained pressure over the unpaid ₹1 lakh. What began as financial coercion allegedly escalated into emotional and psychological abuse. In December 2025, the accused is said to have recorded an intimate video of his wife without her consent.
Investigators have stated that the video, reportedly 13 minutes and 14 seconds long, was circulated not only among relatives but also uploaded to social media platforms and an adult website, significantly amplifying the harm. City Superintendent of Police Rajeev Pathak confirmed the seriousness of the matter, stating that “strict legal action is being taken against the accused” and that the police are treating the case with urgency.
He added that given the gravity of the allegations, the accused has been remanded to judicial custody. Police further noted that when the survivor confronted her husband about the circulation of the video, he allegedly threatened to defame her further if she resisted or spoke out.
During the course of the investigation, officers also said that the accused was habituated to watching objectionable content online, a detail they are examining as part of a broader digital behaviour assessment. Authorities have urged members of the public not to share or forward intimate content, emphasising that such actions not only deepen trauma for survivors but can also attract legal consequences.
Arrest After Threats At In-Laws’ Residence
Police said that after the video surfaced and complaints were raised, the accused fled to Mumbai and remained out of reach for some time. The situation escalated on 12 February 2026, when he allegedly returned to the Mauganj area and arrived at his in-laws’ home carrying a weapon. Family members claimed that he began threatening them, creating panic and fear within the household and neighbourhood.
Acting swiftly on information received, police teams laid a cordon around the area and apprehended him. Officials confirmed that electronic devices believed to have been used in recording and sharing the video have been seized and sent for forensic analysis to determine the extent of circulation and any additional digital evidence.
A case has been registered under sections dealing with dowry harassment, criminal intimidation and the publication or transmission of sexually explicit material without consent. Police officials have stated that the survivor is being provided necessary legal safeguards and that the matter is being monitored closely at senior levels.
They have also indicated that further charges could be added if additional evidence emerges during the investigation. The swift arrest, according to officials, was intended not only to prevent further threats but also to reassure the survivor’s family that the law would act firmly in cases involving both domestic abuse and cyber exploitation.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This deeply troubling case underscores how regressive social practices and the misuse of technology can combine to devastate lives. Dowry, though legally prohibited, continues to cast a long shadow over many marriages, often manifesting in subtle coercion before escalating into overt harassment.
When such pressure is compounded by the non-consensual recording and circulation of intimate content, the violation is both personal and public, attacking dignity, trust and safety at once. Digital platforms, while offering unprecedented connectivity, can also become tools of humiliation and control when misused.
