Mumbai: In an absolute shocker from Maharashtra, a 40-year-old woman suspected of being infected with COVID-19 was allegedly raped at a quarantine facility in Navi Mumbai. The woman had been shifted to the quarantine facility after she had shown symptoms of COVID-19.
The accused has been identified as 25-year-old Shubam Khatu according to officials.
The accused was admitted on the second floor of the same facility while the victim was on the fifth floor, the police officials said.
The accused had gone to meet his brother, who was lodged at the same facility, Wednesday and accidentally knocked on the room where the woman was lodged. He apologised for knocking at the wrong door and left. Thursday, the accused’s brother was also shifted to the Covid-19 ward after he tested positive for the virus.
The accused Shubam Khatu,Thursday evening, went inside the woman’s room. Khatu told the woman that he was a doctor. He then asked the woman whether she had any problems or symptoms. The woman told him that she had body ache.
“The accused on Thursday went to the fifth floor and again knocked on the victim’s room. As she opened the door, he told her that he was a doctor and he had come to check if she had any trouble, to which the victim replied saying she was having body ache,” said senior police inspector Ashok Rajput, Panvel Taluka police station.
The accused then checked the woman’s COVID-19 reports and told her that she needs a massage. In the name of massage, the accused removed the woman’s clothes and started massaging her.
“The accused on the pretext of helping the victim treat the body ache she was suffering from started massaging her. The room was locked and there were only a few people on that floor then,” the senior inspector added.
The woman initially did not suspect his motives as the accused told her that he was a doctor. However, the accused later touched the woman inappropriately, raped her and then left.
The woman complained about the incident early Friday morning and the police immediately filed an FIR.
Following which, the accused who is presently under quarantine was placed under the supervision of security guards. Police have not arrested the accused yet as his Covid-19 results are awaited.
The test reports of the victim have arrived and she tested negative for Covid-19. Once the quarantine period ends and if Khatu tests negative, he will be taken into custody. A case has been registered against him at Panvel Taluka police station.
A police officer said, “The accused is at the quarantine facility. Once his report is out and if he is negative for Covid-19 we will arrest him. Other investigations in the matter is on. Case is registered under section 376 and 354 of IPC.”
PNN/Agencies