Silent Gestures Unearth 16-Year-Old Mumbai Rape Case: How Police Cracked It
In a remarkable turn of events at a Mumbai police station, a group of eight silent individuals arrived, their communication through gestures unraveling a harrowing crime buried for 16 years. Sub-Inspector Ganesh Avate, stationed at Malad police station, initially noticed the unusual silence of this group amidst the usual chaos of complainants.
The Silent Arrival and Breakthrough
On a Saturday afternoon, Avate intervened in a loud family dispute before spotting the silent group outside. He invited them in, only to realize they were all hearing and speech impaired. A 34-year-old woman stepped forward, gesturing rapidly, but Avate, unfamiliar with sign language, was at a loss. In a pivotal moment, she handed him a letter in English detailing the alleged rape in 2009 by Mahesh Pawar, who had drugged her drink.
The gravity of the allegations struck Avate instantly, but the challenge of communication loomed large. How could he record an FIR without understanding her language? Fortunately, one of the group members made a video call to Madhu Keni, a social worker fluent in sign language, who rushed to assist.
Unraveling the 2009 Crime
Over three hours, Keni translated the woman's signs into Marathi as she narrated the suppressed trauma. According to the FIR, in July 2009, as a teenager, she was lured to a party by a friend and introduced to Pawar. After being given spiked drinks, she alleged he sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious. Her mother refused to file a complaint due to social stigma, and Pawar threatened her into silence.
Police booked Pawar and the friend under IPC sections for rape and criminal intimidation. The case remained dormant until September 2025, when disturbing videos surfaced in a WhatsApp group for hearing-impaired individuals in Mumbai. The woman recognized Pawar in the footage, reigniting her trauma and prompting her to seek justice with her husband's support.
Community Support and Investigation
The group, part of a tight-knit community, reached out to Keni for translation help. They gathered evidence, including videos, and drafted a detailed letter. On December 13, they approached the Malad police station, alleging Pawar recorded assaults to blackmail victims. Police tracked Pawar to Virar, arresting him on December 14 after technical surveillance.
Surprisingly, Pawar and his wife were also hearing impaired, adding complexity to the case. During questioning, Pawar admitted to living at the crime scene but claimed innocence. The case was transferred to the relevant jurisdiction, where the woman recounted her story again with Keni's aid.
Broader Implications and Challenges
Keni highlighted the intimidation hearing-impaired individuals face when approaching police, fearing misinterpretation or neglect. Trust in interpreters is crucial, as seen when the woman refused to communicate with a substitute during Keni's absence. The final statement recording took nearly 10 hours on December 31, emphasizing the emotional toll.
Police revealed Pawar is a key witness in a 2024 murder case involving disabled individuals, underscoring the community's vulnerabilities. Avate expressed regret at not investigating further due to jurisdictional issues but assured ongoing support to the victim's friends, who fear retaliation.
This case sheds light on the barriers to justice for disabled communities in India, calling for improved police training and interpreter access. The Mumbai Police's persistence, aided by community solidarity, has brought a long-buried crime to light, offering hope for other silent victims.
