In a shocking incident that unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday in the Maharashtra Nagar area of Mankhurd, a 64-year-old woman, and resident of Mahul village, was discovered naked and unconscious with visible bruising. The perpetrator, identified as Umesh Dhok, 38, allegedly assaulted and repeatedly raped the victim after offering her a ride in his autorickshaw.
According to the victim’s statement to the police, she knew Dhok as they lived in close proximity, leading her to accept his offer for a drop near her house. However, upon reaching Dhok’s residence, he allegedly coerced her inside, where the horrific assault took place. The survivor detailed the brutal nature of the attack, including physical abuse with a bamboo stick.
The victim was ejected from Dhok’s house around 5 pm on Tuesday, where passersby, returning from night shifts, found her in a helpless state without clothes. A compassionate individual quickly provided a gown for the survivor and alerted the police. Multiple police teams rushed to the scene, and the victim was transported to Rajawadi Hospital in critical condition.
After regaining consciousness, the survivor provided a statement to the police, leading to the immediate registration of a case against Dhok. The police noted the severe injuries to the woman’s face due to the assault.
A police team, guided by the victim’s description, swiftly located and apprehended Dhok, who confessed to the crime during interrogation. Disturbingly, it was revealed that Dhok had a prior criminal record. In 2017, he was arrested for assaulting and sexually harassing a minor girl, resulting in his conviction under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
In the current case, Dhok faces charges under sections 376 (rape), 376 (2) (n) (repeated rape on the same woman), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code. Further investigation will delve into the sequence of events and the motive behind this heinous crime.
As the survivor, a widow who earned her livelihood by selling fish in a local market at Mankhurd, continues her recovery in critical care, the community awaits justice for this appalling act of violence.
