After month in shock, woman tells cops second husband raped daughter

NAGPUR: A woman was admitted to Mayo hospital for 23 days after learning about her 16-year-old daughter’s sexual exploitation by the girl’s stepfather for the last two years at their rented apartment in Pardi. The survivor, a student of Standard X, had revealed her abuse on January 31 following which the woman went into a shock.

The 38-year-old man, identified as Ratan Singh Dhingsa, was arrested by Kalamna police on Sunday following a complaint by the mother who was discharged from hospital on February 23. The survivor, after keeping mum for two years due to fear, revealed about her exploitation by Dhingsa to her married elder sister who relayed it to their mother. Dhingsa exploited his stepdaughter till September last year. He threatened her of dire consequences if she divulged his acts to anyone.

The woman, after recovering from initial shock, mustered strength to lodge a complaint at Kalamna police station against her second husband Dhingsa, working with a private company. In quick response, cops rounded up Dhingsa from his relative’s place in Shanti Nagar. On Monday, he was remanded to three days police custody .

It is learnt, the survivor lost her biological father around a decade ago. Her mother then married Dhingsa. She had three daughters. After marrying off the first two, she was staying with Dhingsa and the survivor.

Police said Dhingsa would exploit the survivor late in the evening when her mother was at work. The mother worked with a caterer’s team for which she often had to stay out of house till late.

In her statement, the survivor claimed that Dhingsa would pick up her from the hall where she would sleep on the floor and take her to his bed. He exploit her whenever survivor’s mother was late in returning home.

Kalamna police said the medical examination of the survivor was done but formalities are yet to be completed for Dhingsa. “The woman helped police reach for the culprit despite her own depression and shock,” said API Mohan Dhere of Kalamna police station.

Apart from sections of rape and outraging of modesty, the cops have also invoked relevant provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 against Dhingsa.