Daijiworld Media Network - Baramati
Baramati, May 31: A councillor belonging to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has been booked in Baramati following allegations of molestation, harassment and criminal intimidation of a widow.
The accused has been identified as Kishor Appasaheb Masal. A case has been registered against him at Baramati Taluka Police Station based on a complaint filed by the victim.
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly exploited the woman's vulnerable condition following the death of her husband and repeatedly entered her residence without permission between February 13 and May 25.
The victim alleged that Masal demanded sexual favours from her and molested her on multiple occasions. She also accused him of physically assaulting her and threatening to circulate her photographs on social media to defame her if she refused to comply with his demands.
The complaint further states that the councillor allegedly pressured the woman to blackmail industrialists in Baramati and extort money on his behalf. He reportedly threatened to tarnish her reputation by making her photographs public if she failed to do so.
Unable to endure the alleged mental and physical harassment, the woman approached the police and lodged a complaint.
Based on her statement, Baramati Taluka Police have registered a case against Masal under various relevant sections of the law and have initiated further investigation into the matter.
Police are currently probing the allegations and gathering evidence related to the case.