’She hugged me and started weeping’

Rekha Mane, who got the alleged rape victim a job at Shiney's house, was the first to meet her after the incident

'She hugged me and started weeping'

Rekha Mane, who got the alleged rape victim a job at Shiney's house, was the first to meet her after the incident

Rekha Mane was the first person to meet Swati (name of victim changed) after the alleged rape. It was through Mane's contact that Swati had landed the job in Shiney Ahuja's house.

Rekha, who lives in Nala Sopara, works as a part-time maid in Oshiwara, including Ahuja's society.

Swati lives with her cousin in Virar. Rekha and Swati used to meet in the society between 5 and 6 pm every day to go home.

Police statement

According to her police statement, Rekha met Swati, who was in a traumatic state, below Ahuja's house after the day's work on Sunday.

However, after a while, she confessed that Shiney had raped her. Even the security personnel had noticed her weeping and inquired.

"I immediately called her uncle Mahadev and narrated the incident to him.

He in turn informed Swati's parents who advised us to lodge a police complaint.
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We went to Oshiwara police station, but didn't have the guts to file a complaint.

Then, I took them back to the society and narrated the incident to a resident I work for," Rekha said in her
statement.

Then another neighbour was also informed. The two residents advised that Swati be taken to a hospital. But they all ended up going to the police station at 7.30 pm.
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They narrated the incident to a shocked duty officer who informed his senior. Half an hour later they lodged her complaint.

Later, when cops went to Shiney's place, he was watching television with a friend.

Victim's uncle speaks

Swati came to Mumbai from Roha, Raigad, only a month-and-a-half ago. Her uncle, Mahadev, said, "We're poor people and are going through a lot of pain since the incident.

Her parents and relatives are tense. We know nothing about Mumbai. We have filed a complaint against big people."

Another relative said, "None of us are in a state to talk. Mahadev is very close to Swati. The entire family has been crying and no one is eating. This is a sad time for us."

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