Woman beaten with bamboo stick in Khadki for resisting abuse

Accused still absconding as cops say they cannot find him at home in spite of several visits; locals claim they feel unsafe in Surati Mohalla area

Pune is known for a city safe for women but in a blot on the claim, a 25-year-old had not only faced verbal abuse in Khadki but brutal attacks too when she protested lewd comments by the youth. Worse, the accused is yet to be arrested although locals say the youth visits his parents several times a day yet the cops could not pick him up.

The incident sent shockwaves across the Surati Mohalla area of Khadki since it had taken place on Saturday. A case was lodged in Khadki police station later.


According to the complaint filed with the police, the young woman was sitting on a bench in an open space in the neighbourhood around 4.30 pm on Saturday. She was playing with children, like she does quite often. The accused, Rohan Rethe, was also sitting near the ground and passing vulgar comments to her. When she protested, Rethe brutally beat up the woman with bamboo stick. Shortly after, she fell to the ground with severe injuries and admitted to a hospital for treatment.

The cops said Rethe has criminal record with four-five cases of theft slapped against him.

This woman is scared after the incident and feeling unsafe living in the Khadki area.

She feels anytime Rethe can come to their home and attack again. In the last two days, she is not eating any food because of depression, as she is yet to overcome from the trauma.

One of the cops in the investigation team said that the complainant shouted for help but hardly anyone was present there that time. Then, she ran away to her house where she narrated the whole incident to her mother and aunt. After that, she fell down again. Her mother immediately rushed her to DY Patil Hospital.

The complainant told Mirror, “After this incident, my health has gone down, as Rethe beat up me with bamboo. I only asked him, why he was passing a comment on me, and he should better respect women. After that, we have an argument on this but suddenly Rethe attacked me. I feel unsafe after this incident because Rethe stays nearby. Today also, Idon’t have the energy to stand properly, as Rethe hit me on the head, shoulder and hands. One of my aunts told me that the accused was not arrested by police but he always comes to his house and meets his parents. This is all the scarier for us. What will happen, if he comes to our house and attack my family members? We requested the police to arrest him as soon as possible and deliver justice to women’s safety.”

The complainant’s mother told Mirror, “After this incident, my daughter fell down and we rushed her to the hospital. What was my daughter’s mistake? Is it just she opposes harassment? Why has he punished my daughter like this? Our demand is to arrest Rethe as soon as possible.”

One of the women in Surati Mohalla said on conditions of anonymity, “After this incident, we feel really unsafe. This incident happened in the afternoon, meaning we are not safe in the day also. After this incident, other women are avoiding sitting in the open space, as anyone with a criminal background can attack us. Most of our male members go for jobs throughout the day, leaving us alone in houses. It’s really unsafe for us now.” Another woman added, “The accused always sits in the open ground and pass comments to other girls and women also. This is a dangerous situation for us in the otherwise peaceful neighbourhood like ours. After this incident, we are trying to avoid sitting on the ground.”

Khadki police sub-inspector Vikas Shinde told Mirror, “The accused, Rohan Rethe, is absconding after the incident. We visited his house two-three times. We also try to find out his location. Under sections 354 (whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any woman), 354 (A) (sexual harassment), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 509 (intending to insult the modesty of any woman), 504 (intentionally insult) of the Indian Penal Code, the case has been registered against the accused. We are investigating the case.”