NAGPUR: The 19-year-old Thane youth accused of raping and trying to kill a 16-year-old girl in Nagpur allegedly kept her under “digital arrest” for nearly three months, using mobile phone access, threats and constant video calls to control her, police said Tuesday.The girl was held hostage at a rented flat, raped repeatedly, whipped with a leather belt and inflicted with 20 knife wounds.She was rescued on Aug 3 from the flat in Nagpur’s Dighori area after her parents filed a missing complaint. The youth is currently in jail in Nagpur.Investigators traced a strap and a belt allegedly used in the assaults to two pet shops in Nagpur. “The neck strap and belt were designed to keep dogs on a leash.

We question the shop owners and staff,” a police officer said.Police said the accused used “digital arrest” to force the girl to follow his instructions after meeting her on Instagram. About two months ago, he allegedly told the girl to go to the terrace of her flat and start a video call.He also ordered her to sleep under her bed. When she hesitated, he allegedly threatened to circulate her objectionable photographs on social media. Fearing the consequences, she complied, police said.