Paraskar sent text messages apologising of his behaviour: Mumbai police

July 31, 2014 09:12 am | Updated November 16, 2021 05:31 pm IST - MUMBAI

The Mumbai police, probing the rape case against Deputy Inspector General Sunil Paraskar, say that they have incriminating evidence against the officer.

On June 23, a Mumbai based Gladrags model had filed a case against the officer claiming that she was sexually abused by him between November 2013 and March 2014 when he was posted as the Additional Commissioner (North Region) with the Mumbai police.

“There are text message exchanges between the accused and the victim where Mr.Paraskar has apologised for his ‘behaviour’. These messages were sent at two different occassions once when he took her to his flat in Navi Mumbai and second time after they visisted a bungalow in suburban Mumbai. The victim, in her statement, has also stated about the officer sending her apologetic messages after he allegedly molested and raped her,” a senior police officer told The Hindu.

“This is an important circumstantial evidence and makes the victim’s case stronger,” he added.

On Wednesday the victim recorded her statement before the magistrate under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Under the new law, the victim’s statement recorded before the magistrate is treated as her deposition for the trial.

The police also recorded the supplementary statement of the accused. Mr. Paraskar’s statement was recorded at the Mumbai crime branch office on Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile the police have sent the victim’s phones and some documents for forensic analysis.

While the accused has admitted knowing the victim, he has denied the allegations of rape and claims that he was only ‘helping’ the victim in shifting to a better locality.

“The accused claims that the victim had repeatedly complained to him that men in her society used to pass lewd remarks. She had even filed a molestation complaint in October 2013 against a society member. Mr. Paraskar stated that he wanted to help the victim and therefore took her to his Navi Mumbai residence as a prospective tenant so that she shifts in a better society and does not face such ordeal,” another officer added

The police are also likely to summon model Poonam Pandey for questioning in the case, “The victim has alleged that she had professional rivalry with Ms. Pandey and harassment from Mr. Paraskar started after Ms. Pandey got in touch with him,” another officer told The Hindu.

“We need to verify everything to be sure that there are no loose ends in the case. The victim took over four months to lodge a complaint so we want to be sure there are no hidden motives behind lodging the complaint so late,” he added.

Meanwhile on Thursday the interim relief granted to Mr. Paraskar by a local court gets over and the police are likely to contest the anticipatory bail plea filed by him.

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