An 18-year-old woman in Mumbai has alleged that she was held captive and repeatedly abused for four months. Five individuals have been charged in the case. The survivor resides in Malad and was taken captive on the pretext of opportunities in the film industry.
According to the Kurar police station in Malad (East), the survivor approached authorities on October 5 after escaping. The complaint includes accusations of human trafficking, rape, and common intention against those involved.
The survivor claimed that Sunita Rankhambe, a family acquaintance, offered her a job opportunity in one of India’s leading film and television production firms. With her family in financial need, she took the opportunity.
Rankhambe reportedly visited the woman’s home on June 2 and assured her family that the position would give an income of INR 20,000 per month while she was away on production schedules. The woman’s mother also agreed.
Later, Rankhambe brought the young woman to Titwala, where they met Rankhambe’s daughter, Sonal Waghmare, and her son-in-law, Vikas Waghmare. The next day, while at a café, the woman was introduced to a man named Sameer, who later introduced her to another man named Amir.
Amir allegedly tampered with her drink, causing her to lose consciousness. She later regained awareness and confronted Sameer about it. He showed her a video in which she was being assaulted.
Later, she sought help from Rankhambe but discovered that she was also involved in the scheme. Rankhambe allegedly threatened to release the footage online if the woman resisted.
The FIR says that the woman was taken to Rankhambe’s house. Sameer then transported her to Goa in July under the pretence of an acting opportunity. There, he reportedly assaulted her multiple times and drugged her again.
The same things happened again in August. The survivor contacted her brother on September 30, requesting his help, but Sameer prevented her from leaving.
On October 5, the woman finally escaped from Rankhambe’s residence, returned to Malad, and reported the incident to the police. The police filed charges against Sunita Rankhambe, her daughter, Sonal Waghmare, her son-in-law, Vikas Waghmare, and two other men, Sameer and Amir.
Authorities have charged them under sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, including human trafficking, rape, and common intention. The police are trying to find the suspects, who are currently on the run.
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