Bhiwandi: Woman alleges rape by ex-BJP MLA Narendra Pawar, case filed against two

A case has been registered against former BJP MLA Narendra Pawar and dismissed policeman Shailesh Patil at Padgha police station over allegations that a 22-year-old married woman was raped at gunpoint in Bapgaon in Bhiwandi taluka. Police acted on the woman's complaint.

According to the complaint, the woman was having a dispute with her husband. On the pretext of mediating the dispute, Narendra Pawar allegedly called her to his office. Following this, on September 13, Pawar and Shailesh Patil allegedly took her to a private property in Bapgaon. The woman has stated in her complaint that she was shown a weapon there and forced to drink alcohol, after which she was raped. The complaint further states that Pawar left the spot around 2 am, after which Shailesh Patil also assaulted her. According to the woman, she was dropped home by morning.

Frightened after the incident, the woman contacted Congress corporator Kanchan Kulkarni on September 16 seeking help. She told Kulkarni that she had an alleged video and mobile chats. Kulkarni then accompanied the woman to Padgha police station. Kulkarni said she also spoke to senior police officers about the matter, after which Padgha police examined the woman's complaint and the information provided before registering the case.

Police are currently investigating the woman's allegations, the alleged digital evidence and other aspects of the case. Further action will follow verification of the accused's role, conditions at the scene and the evidence gathered. Meanwhile, Kanchan Kulkarni has demanded the swift arrest of the accused, warning that if arrests are not made within 48 hours, she will lead an agitation by women outside Padgha police station. The allegations in the complaint are yet to be independently confirmed pending completion of the police investigation, and any final determination of guilt will rest with the courts.