A 25-year-old man arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 22-year-old tech professional in Pune’s Kondhwa area has been released after police discovered significant inconsistencies in the woman’s complaint, officials confirmed on Friday.
According to the Pune Police, the suspect had known the woman for approximately a year. Initial reports claimed that the man posed as a delivery executive, forced his way into her rented flat, sprayed a chemical on her face, and raped her. However, police have since clarified that there was no forced entry and no chemical spray involved. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar stated, “The suspect is not a delivery boy. Both individuals have known each other for the past year, and there was no forced entry or spray used in this case.”
During questioning, the man asserted that a selfie, initially considered key evidence, was taken with the woman’s consent. He claimed she had edited the photo and added the threatening message, “I will be back,” herself. “The selfie was taken with the victim’s consent, and the message was edited and posted by the victim,” Kumar noted.
Background of the Woman
According to Additional Commissioner of Police (Eastern Region) Manoj Patil, the woman is an IT professional employed at a reputable firm and hails from Akola. She was residing in a housing society as a tenant with her younger brother, who is an engineering student in Pune.
The woman filed a complaint on Thursday, alleging that the man came to her home under the pretense of delivering a package and subsequently raped her after rendering her unconscious. Her allegations prompted a significant police response, with ten teams, including five from the crime branch, deployed to locate the suspect. Approximately 500 officers were involved, and footage from over 500 CCTV cameras was analyzed before the suspect was apprehended in Baner.
Police also showed the suspect’s photo to residents of the woman’s society, but no one recognized him. However, they confirmed that photos of the man were found on the woman’s phone.
“The girl’s mental state is not good at present… The rape aspect is still under investigation,” Kumar stated, as reported by PTI. The detained man is described as a highly qualified professional. Authorities are still working to understand the motive behind the woman’s complaint.
