In a world where social media can make or break reputations in seconds, a recent viral video from Jaisalmer has sparked outrage, debate, and serious legal questions.
The case involves a 70-year-old shepherd, a couple from Delhi, and a disturbing act of exploitation that raises critical concerns about consent, gender bias in sexual harassment laws, and the ethics of digital voyeurism.
This isn’t just another viral scandal—it’s a story that forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about how society perceives victims, the misuse of technology, and the gaps in India’s legal system. Let’s break it down.
What Happened in Jaisalmer? The Shocking Incident Explained
The incident came to light when an obscene video featuring an elderly shepherd from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, went viral on social media and pornographic websites. The video showed a nude woman (later identified as Smriti Jain, a software engineer from Uttar Pradesh) stepping out of a car and allegedly coaxing the old man to touch her. Her partner, Shanu Kumar from Bihar, filmed the entire act.
Jaisalmer Old Man Baba Girl (Smriti jain) Mms Viral Video Links
Here are Smriti jain viral video links.
WATCH OTHER VIRAL VIDEO CLICK HERE
Key Details of the Case:
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The couple, posing as tourists, lured the shepherd under the pretext of asking for directions.
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When the old man approached, Smriti allegedly got out of the car naked and pressured him to touch her.
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Initially hesitant, the man eventually complied after repeated insistence.
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The couple later blurred Smriti’s face but left the old man’s identity exposed before uploading the video online.
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Once the clip went viral, the elderly man was branded as “Jaisalmer ka Tharki Baba” (The Lustful Old Man of Jaisalmer) and faced severe public harassment.
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The Jaisalmer Police arrested the couple from Delhi after an investigation.
The Bigger Issues at Play: Consent, Exploitation, and Legal Bias
This case isn’t just about a viral video—it’s a glaring example of how sexual exploitation can victimize men, how consent is manipulated, and how India’s legal system struggles to address such cases fairly.
1. Was the Old Man’s Consent Really Voluntary?
Consent must be freely given, informed, and enthusiastic—not coerced or manipulated. The shepherd was:
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Approached under false pretenses.
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Pressured repeatedly to engage in an act he initially resisted.
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Recorded without his knowledge, making him an unwilling participant in pornography.
This raises ethical and legal questions: If a person is pressured into a sexual act, does it count as consent? The law typically says no, but societal perception often ignores male victims.
2. The Gender Bias in India’s Sexual Harassment Laws
India’s laws on sexual assault (under Section 375 of the IPC) recognize only women as victims. There is no provision for male victims of sexual assault or harassment, even in cases like this where an elderly man was exploited.
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Legal Loophole: If the genders were reversed (a woman pressured into a sexual act and filmed without consent), the accused would face severe charges. But since the victim here is male, the legal recourse is limited.
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Possible Charges Against the Couple:
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Section 354 (Outraging Modesty of a Woman) – Doesn’t apply here.
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Section 67A (Transmitting Obscene Material) – Could apply for uploading the video.
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Section 120B (Criminal Conspiracy) – If proven they planned the act.
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Section 509 (Word, Gesture, or Act Intended to Insult Modesty) – May apply, but weak in this context.
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Legal experts argue that India needs gender-neutral sexual assault laws to ensure justice for all victims, regardless of gender.
3. The Role of Technology in Exploitation
The couple didn’t just exploit the old man—they weaponized social media to humiliate him.
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They blurred the woman’s face but left the man’s identity clear, ensuring he bore the brunt of public shaming.
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The video’s circulation on porn sites highlights how non-consensual intimate content can destroy lives.
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India’s IT Act and POCSO (for minors) have strict laws against revenge porn, but enforcement remains weak.
Public Reaction & Societal Hypocrisy
When the video went viral, the narrative was skewed:
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The old man was branded a “pervert”, while the couple’s role was initially overlooked.
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People harassed him, demonstrating how quickly society judges without knowing the full story.
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The case highlights how male victims of sexual exploitation are often mocked or ignored, unlike female victims who (rightfully) receive legal and social support.
What Should Happen Next? Legal & Social Reforms Needed
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Gender-Neutral Sexual Assault Laws: India must recognize that men can be victims too. Countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia have gender-neutral rape laws—India should follow suit.
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Stricter Punishment for Non-Consensual Pornography: Uploading explicit content without consent should carry severe penalties.
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Public Awareness on Consent: Just because someone “gives in” after pressure doesn’t mean they consented freely.
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Media Responsibility: Viral shaming ruins lives. Media and social platforms must verify before amplifying such content.
Final Thoughts
The Jaisalmer case is only a scandal — it is also evidence that it is time to go out of the slumber. It displays how consent can be twisted, how laws do not protect male victims, and how technology can be wielded as a weapon of shaming.
This old man was not a “tharki baba”, but one being exploited. The couple who filmed and uploaded the video for some cheap thrills were the actual offenders. Justice will remain lopsided until the Indian judicial system and society at large recognises that the sex trade cuts across the gender divide.
What are your thoughts? In India, should the sexual assault laws be gender-neutral? Let us know in the comments.
