Team Herald
PONDA: An odd case of cheating in love has been reported at the Ponda Police Station, where a man was accused of raping his girlfriend – now legally his wife – under the pretext of marriage before refusing to go through with the wedding, even after the legal registration process was completed.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Divyesh Santosh Chodankar, a 30-year-old bank employee from Quelossim, was arrested by Ponda Police after a 22-year-old woman filed a complaint accusing him of sexual assault. According to the victim’s statement, between July 13 and August 6, 2024, Chodankar had forceful sexual intercourse with her on several occasions at a flat in Ponda. She maintains that she did not consent.
Both the accused and the victim were in a relationship, and their families had arranged their marriage. The legal process of marriage had been initiated, with two signatures taken at the marriage registration office. The couple had planned a formal wedding with religious rituals to take place afterward. However, after the second signature, the accused began avoiding the victim, ignoring her calls, and ultimately refused to marry her.
The shocked woman then filed a rape case against Chodankar, accusing him of taking advantage of her under the false pretence of marriage. Although legally the marriage was complete after the second signature, the case has been registered as rape because the accused refused to follow through with the religious ceremony. The police have registered an offence under Section 64 BNS 2023, and further investigation is ongoing.
