In a shocking turn of events, a 55-year-old jeweller in Mumbai has been booked on charges of rape following an accusation made by his 27-year-old domestic help. The case, which initially revolved around a theft complaint, has now expanded into serious allegations of sexual assault.
The jeweller, accompanied by his wife, had approached the police on Saturday to report that his domestic help had stolen ₹15,000 from his home. The police registered a case under Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the woman. However, during questioning, the investigation took a dramatic shift when the woman revealed that she had been subjected to repeated sexual assault by the jeweller.
The woman, who has been employed at the jeweller’s residence since February 2024, initially admitted to taking the money but later disclosed that she had been raped multiple times. She alleged that the assaults took place in the jeweller’s bedroom, often when his wife was away. According to the police, the jeweller frequently molested the woman, taking advantage of her solitude and threatening her with dire consequences if she spoke out.
The woman described how she initially mistook the jeweller’s inappropriate touches as accidental. However, in late June, the jeweller allegedly made explicit advances, expressing his attraction to her. The situation escalated on July 7, when, after his wife left to walk their dog, the jeweller allegedly dragged the woman into the bedroom and sexually assaulted her, resulting in injuries and torn clothing. He reportedly threatened her to prevent her from disclosing the assault.
On July 18, the jeweller allegedly raped her again, this time threatening her family with harm if she revealed the incident. To suppress the matter, the jeweller reportedly tried to bribe the woman with money and even forced a gold locket into her bag after a trip. Despite his attempts to keep the assault concealed, the woman eventually sought help, leading to the current police investigation.
The victim has been sent for a medical examination as part of the ongoing investigation. The jeweller faces charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape, assault, and criminal intimidation. A senior police officer confirmed that the process of arresting the accused is underway, with a thorough investigation being conducted into the serious allegations.
