A 22-year-old data scientist was allegedly raped in her 11th-floor flat in Kondhwa, Pune, by a man posing as a courier delivery agent on Wednesday evening.
Police said the accused rang the doorbell around 7:15 pm, claiming he needed her signature for a parcel from a bank. When the woman stepped inside to fetch a pen, he forced his way in, locked the door, sprayed a chemical on her face, and assaulted her.
The survivor, who lives with her younger brother, was alone as he had travelled to Akola. She regained consciousness over an hour later and alerted relatives, who informed the police. The accused had used her phone to click a selfie with her, cropped his image out, and sent her a threat that he would circulate it online if she spoke up.
Pune Police have formed 10 teams to track the culprit. Forensic teams collected evidence, and swabs have been sent to identify the chemical. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and verifying delivery personnel who visited the building that day.
Investigators said no entry was logged in the society’s visitor register or mobile app at the time. Police suspect the attacker could have been an authorized delivery agent making multiple stops.
A case has been registered under charges including rape, voyeurism, and criminal intimidation. Commissioner Amitesh Kumar assured the case will be cracked soon, calling it a priority investigation.