Mumbai Airhostess Assault Case: Man Posed as ‘Transgender’ to Enter Flat, Arrested

Mumbai: A case of rape of a 25-year-old air hostess has come to light in Powai area of ​​Mumbai. According to the police, the accused entered a society by pretending to be a eunuch and reached the woman's flat. He told the woman that he could eliminate the effects of the evil eye on her hospitalised husband. After entering the house on this pretext, he allegedly sexually assaulted the woman. Within hours of receiving the complaint, the police arrested 28-year-old Anil Shinde from Kalwa area. 

How did the accused enter the society?

According to the police, the incident occurred between 12:20 pm and 12:50 pm on Tuesday. The accused allegedly reached the society in the form of a eunuch. He took the security guard into confidence and went inside the building. After this he kept knocking on the doors of many flats. When the woman living on the third floor opened the door, the accused mentioned her husband's illness and claimed to be treating her.

What deception was given to the woman?

According to the complaint, the accused told the woman that her husband's illness could be due to the evil eye or the influence of some negative power. In the name of removing it, he talked about doing some procedure in the woman's house. According to the police, during this time the accused sprinkled water on the woman and placed his hand on her head. After this the woman accused him of sexual harassment.

Why did the accused leave with Rs 200 after the incident?

The woman told the police that after the incident the accused took Rs 200 from her and left from there. It has also been said in the complaint that the woman had fallen under the influence of the accused at that time. The police are now connecting the links of this entire incident and are trying to find out whether the accused had obtained any prior information about the victim's family and her husband's illness or not.

How did more than 100 CCTV cameras open the way?

The complaint was lodged on Tuesday night at around 11 pm. After this the police started searching for the accused. The investigation team scrutinised the recordings of more than 100 CCTV cameras installed on the route from Powai to Kalwa. Through the footage, the police traced the activities of the accused and reached his location. After this he was arrested from a slum in Kalwa. According to the police, the arrest was made within about four hours of the FIR being registered.

What case has been registered against the accused?

Police have registered a case against Anil Shinde under sections related to rape and criminal intimidation. During the investigation, legal provisions related to misleading people in the name of superstition and black magic are also being considered. At present the police are interrogating the accused.

Has the accused used this method before?

During police interrogation, the accused allegedly said that his family works as eunuchs and begs. Now the police are trying to find out whether he had entered any house in a similar manner before or whether any such complaint had been registered against him before this incident. His past records and activities are also being investigated.

Why raise questions on crimes committed in the name of superstition?

According to the police, the accused gained the woman's trust by claiming to cure her illness and remove the evil eye. In such cases, it can be risky to allow an unknown person to enter the house merely on the basis of his claim or attire. Questions also arise on the security arrangements in the society and verification of the identity of the visitors. At present the police are interrogating the accused and further action will be taken based on the investigation.