Mumbai: Court to hear rape case against former corporator in 3 weeks

Mangesh Satamkar with the victim. File pic

The magistrate court has set a March 21 hearing for the rape case filed against ex-corporator Mangesh Satamkar. The victim's advocate had opposed the closure report filed by the police due to lack of evidence.

Advocate, A Singh - representing the victim in court - said after the case was listed in court on Thursday, the judge informed that the police had filed a closure report. "But we opposed this stating that the victim is not satisfied with the investigation and that we needed details of the police investigation till date," Singh said, adding that a protest petition demanding all documents the police investigated was also filed.

Posters in support of the woman in Pratiksha Nagar

According to Singh, the police would now have to show the court what investigations have been done. "These facts would make it clear that the police favoured the accused and filed a closure report, without a proper investigation," he added.

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The case was registered at Antop Hill police station in May 2023 by a 29-year-old woman who was working at Satamkar's office. The woman has also alleged that when Satamkar joined the Eknath Shinde faction in July 2023, the police forcibly took her to the police station and tried to "settle" the issue by taking her statement and a video recording that she is taking back the case.

"Even after providing all the evidence, in February 2024, I received a letter from the court asking me to be present on February 29 as police had filed a closure report stating they hadn't found any evidence. However, we opposed the matter in court on Thursday… we have faith in the judiciary," said the victim.

Former corporator Mangesh Satamkar. Pic/X

The victim, who is currently living with her sisters, said she felt an increased threat to her life after she opposed the closure report filed by the police. "Being an ex-corporator, Satamkar has good connections in the vicinity and he may try to pressure or harm me to take the case back. I fear he may go to any lengths to get the case tossed out. I still haven't received any help from the police. If something happens to me till the hearing takes place, Satamkar should be held responsible," she added.

March 21
Date of the hearing