Rape survivor claims she’s is being harassed by police

A 37-year-old woman, a rape survivor has claimed that she is being harassed by the Charkop police and denied justice. Instead of arresting the accused, the police are investigating the financial background of the victim and loans taken by her, she has alleged The accused, Nitin Amrutlal Panchal, (47) has been absconding for more than six months despite the intervention from the CM Devendra Fadnavis.

An FIR was registered by the Charkop police in November 2017.

Speaking to the Free Press Journal, the victim said, “In 2013, Panchal had promised marriage to me and on that pretext ,he had a physical relationship with me since 2011. Since he was going through financial crisis, he asked me to lend him Rs 1 lakh but he did not return the money to me. When I asked him to return it, he showed me obscene videos and photographs. He threatened me over phone and messages that he would circulate the photographs and videos on social media. He kept demanding more money but I refused to give him any financial help. So he continued to threaten and harass me. I was scared for my life due to the repeated threats.”

Since the victim, a resident of Mira Road is allegedly being repeatedly harassed and maligned by the police, out of fear she has left Mumbai.

Initially, a statement was recorded by Dindoshi in May, 2016 and then a FIR was filed by Charkop police station after a delay of five months since the place and crime of offence is under the Charkop police jurisdiction.

Speaking to the Free Press Journal, Mohan Krishnan, President of National AntiCorruption and Crime Preventive Council said, “The victim’s medical examination was done after a delay of 21 days since there was no woman police constable at the police station. After that, till date there has been no arrests made despite the intervention from the Chief Minister’s office. Instead of arresting the accused in the rape case, the police are verifying the background of the victim and the financial loans given by her to the accused. The accused had extorted money from the accused due to which the victim herself started facing financial crisis. So she had to take loans from other parties which the police are probing.”

The accused Panchal had applied for a new passport and flouted the rules and travelled to Dubai in November last year. “The police are hand in glove with Panchal and refuse to arrest him,” added the victim.

According to Pramod Dhaware, Senior PI, Charkop police station, “An FIR was filed in November 2017. The matter is being investigated.”

Mohan Krishnan, President of National Anti-Corruption and Crime Preventive Council, said, “The victim’s medical examination was done after a delay of 21 days since there was no woman police constable at the police station. After that, till date there has been no arrests. Instead of arresting the accused in the rape case, the police are verifying the background of the victim and the financial loans given by her to the accused.”