Mid-Day

Mumbai, Apr 4: Chembur resident Shreemanth Pundalik Dudhad (45) allegedly raped his daughter-in-law Ranjana, 21, (name changed to protect her identity) several times over the past four days in her home in Deonar.

Ranjana’s husband and his brother had left for their village four days ago, leaving her alone with Shreemanth.

At 11.30 pm yesterday, Pundalik allegedly stuffed her mouth with a cloth and tied her legs to the bed before raping her. But Ranjana managed to cry out for help, and neighbours heard her screams. At 12.15 pm, she narrated the incident to them. They took her to Deonar police station at 12.30 am to file a complaint.

“He had been doing this for the four days. He threatened to kill me if I told anyone about it. He raped me at least five times. My mother-in-law has been in her village in Kolhapur for the past two months, and my husband Babu and his brother left for the village four days ago. I have not informed them,” said Ranjana.

“He must be severely punished so that no father-in-law thinks of doing something like this,” she added emotionally. When MiD DAY asked Shreemanth if he had raped her, and if so, why, he simply shook his head, saying, 'Pata nahin’.

The police have charged him with rape and criminal intimidation. Shreemanth and Ranjana were taken to Nagpada hospital for a medical examination last night.