12 November,2010 06:30 AM IST | | Ketan Ranga
15-year-old allegedly raped by senior inspector tells of how she was taken to various places and forced into sex
"My neighbour Shantabai Gaikwad, who forced me into having sex with various men, had told my family that she would help me find a maid's job.
She took me to a flat in MHADA Colony in Powai where I was forcibly locked with a man," said the 15-year-old victim, Tasnima Sheikh (name changed) Tasnima spoke to MiD DAY yesterday, seated on a cot in the women's ward of Rajawadi Hospital, Ghatkopar.
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Dressed in a kurta-pyjama, she had her baby in her lap while Tasnima's mother stood by her side.
Tasnima Sheikhu00a0delivered a baby girl at home on October 19. She was later admitted to a Ghatkopar hospital after she developed complications. Her mother and sister
"I screamed for help but Gaikwad refused to listen," Tasnima told MiD DAY, while intermittently tending to the bawling infant.
Tasnima, who delivered the girl at home on October 19, was admitted to the hospital a couple of days later due to a medical problem.
"Gaikwad threatened to ruin my life if I ever told anybody about all this," said Tasnima, eyes lowered, her voice soft.
The Powai resident was allegedly raped by various men, including Senior Police Inspector Arun Borade of LT Marg police station.
Sources said that nearly 100 phone calls had been exchanged between Gaikwad and Borade.
Tasnima and Gaikwad were neighbours. "I used to go to her house regularly to watch television," Tasnima said haltingly, a dazed expression on her face.
'I can identify them'
Tasnima said Gaikwad warned her not to breathe a word of this to anybody at home. "She said she knows a policeman and threatened to ruin my life if I told anybody about this."
After that, Gaikwad escorted Tasnima to several places. "If I refused, she used to threaten me.
I was taken to four to five places, and each time I was raped. I suffered for more than seven months, but did not inform my family, fearing Gaikwad."
Asked if a police officer was involved, Tasnima said, "Gaikwad always threatened me saying she knew a police officer though I do not know his name. I will be able to identify all the men if I see them."
She' still a kid: Victim's mother
"I want those responsible for spoiling my daughter's life to be put behind bars," said a tearful Salma (not her real name). "At the age of 15 she is still a child and has become a mother out of wedlock."
For the last few months, Salma said Tasnima had been unwell.
"She used to throw up and had become very lethargic. I used to scold her and even beat her up once.
One day I sensed something wrong and confronted her. That's when my girl broke down and told me about what had been going on."
