A 20-year-old woman, allegedly raped by an autorickshaw driver, resorted to self-inflicted harm by inserting a surgical blade and stones into her private parts, fearing reproach from her family.
The incident occurred in Mumbai earlier this week, exposing a harrowing ordeal and a web of conflicting statements.
The victim, a resident of Nalasopara in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, approached authorities from Ram Mandir railway station in Goregaon.
Initially, she claimed to have travelled to Mumbai by train. Upon investigation, however, the woman revealed that she had visited Arnala Beach in Virar with the auto driver.
According to her statement, the two failed to secure a room at a guest house due to lack of identification and decided to remain at the beach.
She alleged that the driver raped her during the night and fled thereafter.
Fearing family reprisals upon her return home, the woman purchased a surgical blade and inserted it, along with stones, into her private parts.
She made her way to Ram Mandir railway station but sought medical assistance after experiencing severe pain. Doctors removed the foreign objects during an emergency procedure.
Following her recovery, the woman’s statement was recorded.
During questioning, police discovered discrepancies in her narrative.
Initially, she claimed to be an orphan, a claim disproved when her father came forward. He informed authorities that she had filed a rape complaint against two men in 2023.
The autorickshaw driver, identified as Raj Ratan, was apprehended on Thursday night. Investigators are now scrutinising the woman’s contradictory statements while pursuing the case against the accused.
Police have urged the public to withhold judgement until the investigation concludes.
The incident has sparked discussions about the societal pressures that drive victims to extreme actions and the importance of mental health support for survivors of sexual assault.
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