Asif Yunus Pathan Arrested for Sexual Assault and Harassment of Hindu Woman [Ahmednagar, Maharashtra]

(Reported as seen)

In a recent incident reported from the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, a 25-year-old Hindu woman was sexually assaulted and threatened by a man named Asif Yunus Pathan. The accused had initially disguised himself as a Hindu under a false identity to establish a friendship with the woman. However, on July 4th, he revealed his true identity and proceeded to rape her, as per the victim’s complaint.

The accused, Asif Yunus Pathan, has been apprehended and has been charged under sections 63, 69, 329(4), and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Samhita, 2023. The FIR copy of the incident has been obtained by OpIndia, a news outlet.

According to the victim’s complaint, the accused had approached her on Facebook in June, posing as ‘Nava Patil’ through a fake account. A dialogue ensued, during which the woman developed a level of trust with the account. Eventually, the accused coerced the woman into sharing her phone number and switching to WhatsApp for communication.

Sadly, the situation took a dark turn when the accused began blackmailing the woman, threatening to expose their conversations to her husband if she did not acquiese to his derogatory demands. Frightened and trapped, the victim succumbed and sent him intimate pictures. This abuse persisted over the course of several days.

On the fateful day of July 4th, the accused called the woman and issued threats. He subsequently violated her in her own home, subjecting her to hours of brutal rape. After leaving momentarily, he returned, intoxicated, to continue his assault. The woman’s cries of pain caught the attention of her neighbors, who inquired about the distressing situation. Upon hearing her account, the enraged locals attempted to apprehend the accused but he managed to escape.

The authorities were promptly notified, leading to the arrest of Asif Yunus Pathan. The police have confirmed that the accused had assumed a false identity in order to trap and assault the woman on July 4th, 2024.

It is disheartening to note that this incident echoes a similar case that occurred on April 8th, 2024. In that instance, a minor Hindu girl from the SC/ST community was sexually assaulted by a man named Hamid Sayyed. Like Asif Yunus Pathan, Hamid Sayyed also formed a ‘friendship’ with the minor before subjecting her to sexual abuse.

The accused, Hamid Sayyed, not only assaulted the minor but also took derogatory photos and videos of her. He then used these as leverage to manipulate and threaten her into complying with his demands. An FIR was filed in that case on April 2nd, 2024, under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the SC/ST Act.

In the current case involving Asif Yunus Pathan, the accused has been arrested, and further investigations are currently underway.

These distressing incidents highlight the urgent need for the protection and safety of women and girls in our society. It is crucial for everyone to be cautious when forming online connections and to remain vigilant against potential dangers. Authorities must continue to work diligently to ensure the swift apprehension and punishment of those who commit such heinous acts, providing justice and support for the victims involved.