Software Engineer Arrested in Navi Mumbai for Sexual Assault Under False Marriage Promise
In a disturbing case from Navi Mumbai, a 34-year-old software engineer residing in Kamothe has been arrested by the Kharghar police. The arrest followed a formal complaint lodged on Thursday by a 32-year-old married woman, who is also a resident of Kamothe. The woman has made serious allegations against the accused, detailing a pattern of abuse and deception that spanned several years.
Allegations of Deception and Abuse
The complainant alleged that the accused, identified as Abhishek Singh, forcibly established a sexual relationship with her after promising marriage. According to her statement, Singh took her to various hotels under the guise of this promise, only to later renege on his commitment. The situation escalated further as she claimed that Singh impregnated her multiple times between June or July 2021 and January 2026.
In a harrowing account, the woman reported that Singh physically assaulted and threatened her, coercing her into undergoing abortions each time she became pregnant. She stated that he took her to different hospitals for these procedures, adding to the trauma of the alleged abuse.
Police Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Sanjay Joshi, the senior inspector of Kharghar police station, confirmed the arrest and provided details on the ongoing investigation. He noted that Abhishek Singh is unmarried and was produced before the Panvel sessions court on Thursday. The court has remanded him to police custody until February 23 to facilitate further inquiry.
Inspector Joshi explained the current legal stance, stating, "As of now, we did not invoke relevant BNS sections for forcible abortion by the accused, since we are yet to gather documentary evidence from the concerned hospitals where she underwent abortions to ascertain her allegations." The police are actively working to collect technical and documentary evidence from the hotels mentioned by the complainant, including a five-star hotel in Kharghar, where the alleged sexual encounters took place.
Charges Filed Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
At this stage, Singh has been booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These sections criminalize sexual intercourse obtained through deceitful means, such as a false promise of marriage. Additional charges include sexual harassment, voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, and criminal intimidation.
The police emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and they are meticulously verifying the woman's claims. The collection of evidence from hospitals and hotels is crucial to building a robust case and potentially adding more charges related to the alleged forced abortions.
This case highlights serious issues of gender-based violence and legal accountability in urban settings like Navi Mumbai. It serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough police work and judicial oversight in addressing such complex allegations. The community awaits further developments as the investigation progresses and more details emerge from the court proceedings.
