Mumbai:
A 56-year-old man in Mumbai was arrested late last night for raping a 19-year-old girl for almost four months.
Jagdish Vishwakarma, a resident of Thane, allegedly assaulted and threatened the teenager to stop her from complaining to his wife. The girl, who used to stay at Maa Niketan hostel since childhood, after she lost her parents, was working as a maid at Vishwakarma's house in Thane.
Four months ago, Vishwakarma asked the girl to stay with him and his wife. She agreed to stay with the couple, as the accused promised to get her married and even look after her. The hostel was also informed about it.
A police officer from the Kapurbavdi police station said, "The girl had stopped working as a maid and was staying with them. But after a few days, Vishwakarma forced himself on her and raped her. He even abused, assaulted and threatened her to not tell his wife about the incident."
The police officer said, "He kept raping the girl for four months in his wife's absence. The girl did not complain to anyone, as she was afraid of the consequences."
On Monday, the victim informed members of the Mahila sanghatna about the incident. They took her to a civic hospital at 11 pm.
A case was filed and the accused was picked up later in the night from his residence.
Police constable Ganesh Jadhav said, "A case of rape and assault has been registered against the accused. They were sent for a medical check-up. The accused will be produced in the court today."
The girl has been sent back to the hostel. She told the police that the accused earlier promised of getting her married in a good family, but then started sexually abusing her.