A 21-year-old man who had supposedly committed suicide by jumping off the Vashi bridge is now said to be alive, say the police. He has been charged with kidnap and rape of his girlfriend, who is a minor.
 
According to Swati Sonavane (15, name changed), she and Yogesh Sakpal (21) had eloped on July 3 and two days later, he had jumped off the bridge in front of her. But she later confessed that Yogesh was alive and that they had cooked up the story to escape police arrest.

According to police, after eloping, Yogesh, who is from Govandi, and Swati, from Colaba, had stayed first at Thane and then at his friend Sandeep Hargude's house in Wadala.

Swati confessed that she had had sex with Yogesh and her medical reports confirmed it.

Even though Yogesh had with Swati with her consent, he has been charged because she's a minor. Sandeep too is facing similar charges.

"We have charged Yogesh and Sandeep with charges of kidnap and rape. Yogesh did not commit suicide and is absconding. We have arrested Sandeep," said Sub-Inspector Rahul Naik from Colaba police station.

According to another officer, charges of rape against Sandeep may be removed later.