Pune: Pune rural police have registered a case against seven people after a young woman was allegedly lured to a lodge with the promise of a job, drugged and sexually assaulted, officials said on Saturday.
The incident reportedly took place at Hotel Marvel Inn Lodging in Shirur between 5 pm on 19th August and 5.30 pm on 21st August. Police have arrested one of the accused in connection with the case.
According to the complaint, the woman was allegedly offered a well-paying job and brought to the lodge in a car. Once inside a room, the accused allegedly forced her to consume a white powder suspected to be an intoxicating substance.
The complaint states that the woman was then sexually assaulted against her will while she was in a vulnerable condition. The victim has also alleged that accused Aniket Dilip Pathare, 26, molested and verbally abused her and threatened her.
Police have booked Deepak Shrimandilkar of Ramling in Shirur; Ajay Manik Ghegade of Math in Ahilyanagar district; Rishikesh Ramdas Dhavale of Dhavalgaon; Deepak Dattatray Bhosale of Mavlewadi; Sagar Sadhu Dhavale of Dhavalgaon; Aniket Dilip Pathare of Mavlewadi; and one unidentified person.
Police arrested Bhosale at around 1.43 am on Saturday.
Police Sub-Inspector Hanmant Nakate is investigating the case. Police are also working to collect CCTV footage from the lodge, trace the vehicle allegedly used to transport the woman and gather other evidence linked to the case.
The case has also raised concerns over activities at the lodge. Two days before the alleged assault came to light, police had reportedly caught suspected MD drug smugglers at the same hotel.
The two incidents have led to concerns among residents over alleged illegal activities at the premises. Citizens have also raised questions about the lodge’s operations and demanded strict action if violations are established.
Police are continuing their investigation into the allegations and the role of each accused.
