Security in-charge betrays trust, rapes woman for 5 months

Trustee Amit Bhansali could not be reached for comment. An open space outside a temple managed by the trust has been given to hawkers.

Police said the victim was wife of one of the hawkers.

Kothavle and she used to meet frequently in connection with her husband's stall.

"The accused invited her to a guesthouse around five months ago, ostensibly to meet his family. There, he offered her a spiked soft drink and filmed her naked using his cellphone. When she regained consciousness, he showed her the video, threatened to make it public and forced himself on her. Kothavle allegedly exploited her the next five months, once even following her to her native place," said Manoj Hegishte, assistant inspector.

Police said the hawker soon became suspicious and began keeping a watch on the movements of his wife till he caught her meeting Kothavle at the guesthouse. He confronted her and she confided in him. The couple then approached police on November 8.

"We registered a complaint and went looking for Kothavle at his residence in Kamothe. He was not home. On Thursday evening, we received information that he would be at Mumbai Central bus depot and laid a trap," said Ravindra Game, another assistant inspector.

Kopthavle was produced in court on Friday and has remanded in police custody till November 21. His cellphone has been seized and police are examining its contents. Kothavle is married and has two children.

Demons of the past

October 26, 2012: Abhijeet Mandhre (27) was arrested by Gorai Police for allegedly raping a 30-year-old woman repeatedly promising marriage. He also video-recorded one of the rapes

August 7, 2012: Colaba resident Vikram Dravid was arrested for allegedly raping a 31-year-old IT professional several times since 2008. The victim alleged Dravid spiked her drink and took advantage of her unconsciousness the first time, after which he kept threatening to malign her

June 2012: A Santacruz housewife alleged eight young men from her locality repeatedly raped her over six months threatening to harm her two children if she objected. The accused would allegedly force themselves on her separately while her husband was at work

April 2012: ACP Anil Mahabole was booked for allegedly raping a woman from Kurla and making a video of her in a compromising position. He was suspended

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