In a twist to a high-profile rape case that sent shockwaves through Pune earlier this month, the city police have now registered a non-cognizable offence against the 22-year-old woman who had initially alleged she was raped by a delivery executive in her apartment in Kondhwa. Police investigations revealed that her claims were false, and the accused man was someone she had known for nearly a year.
The woman, who had approached the police in the early hours of July 3, alleged that the man forced his way into her apartment in the Kondhwa area, rendered her unconscious using a chemical spray, and sexually assaulted her. The case immediately triggered public outrage and prompted a city-wide manhunt.
Investigation Points to a Fabricated Story
The accused was not a stranger, though, as a thorough investigation by Pune police has now shown. He was a 25-year-old male whom the woman had known for about a year and had had social contact with. The claimed threatening selfie on her phone was shot with her permission and edited by her, and no toxic substance or forced access was discovered. These discoveries fundamentally changed the course of the study.
Following the revelations, police registered a non-cognizable offence against the woman under sections 212, 217, and 228 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for giving false information, misleading a public servant to misuse lawful authority, and fabricating evidence. She has been served a notice and has been asked to report to the investigating officer for further inquiry.
Massive Police Probe Disproved Claims
The case had initially mobilized over 500 police personnel and involved the review of footage from 500 CCTV cameras across Pune. The woman’s detailed FIR had prompted this full-scale investigation. According to her complaint, the alleged assault occurred around 7:30 pm on July 2. She claimed the man introduced himself as a delivery executive, locked the door from inside, sprayed a substance on her face, and raped her after she lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she said he had vanished, leaving behind a threat on her phone.
However, her claims were not supported by the evidence. Technical investigation, digital communication data, and surveillance footage all revealed discrepancies. According to the police, the threat letter was made up, there was no evidence of forced entry, and no chemical residues were found. Her relationship with the man, and the nature of their digital interactions, suggested mutual familiarity rather than a case of stranger assault.
Top Cop Warns Against Misuse of Law
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed that, based on all collected evidence and communication records, it was clear that no rape had occurred.
He emphasized that deceiving the police in such a grave situation undermines the system’s credibility and may raise questions about whether a person is a true survivor. As he put it, “False complaints undermine the credibility of legitimate complainants.” It is detrimental to the criminal justice system in the long run.
