Mumbai: A 25-year-old airhostess was allegedly raped by a man who posed as a transgender person and entered her flat in Powai on the pretext of using black magic to cure her ailing husband, police said.
The accused, identified as Anil Shinde, 28, was arrested from a slum area in Kalwa early Wednesday, within four hours of the FIR being registered.
Accused allegedly gained entry into flat
According to police, Shinde allegedly gained the security guard’s confidence while dressed as a transgender person before entering the building. He reportedly knocked on several doors before the woman opened her flat on the third floor.
Police said the accused claimed he could ward off the evil eye and help cure the woman’s husband, who is undergoing treatment in hospital.
The alleged assault took place between 12.20 pm and 12.50 pm on Tuesday, according to the complaint.
Woman alleges assault after black magic claim
The woman told police that Shinde sprinkled water on her and placed his hand on her head before allegedly sexually assaulting her.
When she raised an alarm, he allegedly left the flat after taking Rs 200 from her. She told police that she handed over the money while under hypnosis.
The woman approached police around 11 pm on Tuesday, following which an FIR was registered.
CCTV footage helps police trace accused
A police team began tracking Shinde after the complaint. Investigators reportedly examined footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras along the route between the Powai building and Kalwa to trace his movements.
Police arrested him from Kalwa within four hours of registering the FIR.
Shinde is currently in custody and faces charges including rape and criminal intimidation. Police said additional provisions relating to alleged black magic may also be invoked.
Police check for similar offences
A police officer said Shinde claimed that his family was involved in begging while posing as transgender persons.
Investigators are also checking whether the accused has been involved in similar offences in the past.