In a bizarre development, a medico from Malvani in Malad west has been booked in an alleged third rape case in three weeks, a police official said here on Tuesday.
The accused in the 'serial rapes' is Dr Yogesh Bhanushali, who was arrested after two cases were lodged against him for the offence on September 27 and October 3, and the third case lodged on October 15.
Malvani Police Station Senior Inspector of Police Chimaji Adhav said that the accused is currently in judicial custody in the earlier two cases which will end on Wednesday (October 18), and he will be arrested in the third case now, said the official.
The medico followed a modus operandi of luring women into relationship with marriage promises through social media, and then inviting them to his home to meet the other family members who lived a lavish lifestyle.
Later, he would allegedly take the woman to his private room upstairs and then convince her to change hairstyle and clothes to go to a pub, force himself on her, and even cajole her into getting tattoos on private parts.
He would continue the relationship for sometime, extract money and jewellery from her under threats of making her intimate pictures viral, dump and go after the next victim.
When one of the victims lodged a police complaint, her family came to his rescue and threatened her to withdraw the cases, and he has reportedly extorted over Rs 5-lakhs from one victim so far.
Among his victims are a nurse, a call centre employee who were lured, sexually assaulted and cheated of money on various occasions.
The accused was also booked by the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Nagar Police Station, Govandi (north-east Mumbai), under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in 2020, when he had misbehaved in a Covid-19 centre with a patient.
With four cases already registered, the Mumbai Police believe that there could be many more victims who would gradually come out openly against him.
Meanwhile, the victims' lawyers are clamouring for a probe into his medical degrees and other details of his family and their possible complicity into his alleged criminal activities.
Govt justifies deportation from US, cites diplomatic obligation
Calling for a focus on a strong crackdown against the illegal immigration industry, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday reiterated the universal obligation for countries to repatriate their nationals found living abroad illegally.
Saved from penal action, repatriated safely — how have things changed drastically for illegal Indian immigrants since 2014
Making a statement in Parliament, the EAM urged that the focus should instead remain on a strong crackdown against the illegal immigration industry as the process of deportation is not new and has been ongoing for several years.
Emergency was aimed to pamper arrogance of Congress' royal family: PM Modi
Replying in Rajya Sabha to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, PM Modi highlighted how the Congress government during the 'Emergency' persecuted singer Kishore Kumar and actors Dev Anand and Balraj Sahni who refused to support it during that dark phase.
BJP ally Tipra Motha Party threatens to withdraw support if govt does not fulfil promises
Tripura's ruling coalition partner, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), on Thursday threatened to withdraw its support from the BJP-led government if the Centre did not fulfil the provisions of the tripartite accord signed on March 2 last year.
Not new procedure, been in place since 2009: EAM Jaishankar on deportation row
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that there has been "no change from the past procedure" in the deportation of illegal immigrants by the United States, emphasizing that the process is "not a new one".
Cong seeks discussion in LS, dignified treatment for deported Indians by US
The Indian nationals who were deported from the US for illegally arriving in the country on Wednesday claimed that they were sent back on the military aircraft with their hands and legs cuffed throughout the journey.
J&K mysterious deaths: All pesticide, insecticide shops sealed in Rajouri district
All pesticide and insecticide shops have been sealed by authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Rajouri district as part of preventive measures taken after 17 ‘mysterious deaths’ took place in Budhal village, officials said on Thursday.
Pariksha Pe Charcha: PM Modi to engage with students; Sadguru, Mary Kom, Deepika to join discussion
The much-anticipated eighth edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' (PPC) is set to return in an expanded format, featuring an array of distinguished experts and guests, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.