Armyman arrested rapes a mentally challenged girl

A case has been filed against a serving army colonel for allegedly raping a 23-year-old mentally challenged girl in Deolali on Thursday.

The police said the victim's elder sister lodged a complaint on Friday around 11.45pm against Col Vinod Sahani (54), a resident of Arc Paradise in Deolali and serving as an officer at the artillery centre's depot regiment.

Sahani, however, told the police that he's being framed as his and the victim's family have had disagreements over parking of vehicles and throwing of garbage in the area.

The alleged incident took place on April 30 around 2.30pm, when the victim had gone out of her house to take a coconut that had fallen from a tree nearby. The sister alleged that Sahani lured the victim to his house and raped her in his bedroom, later threatening her of dire consequences if she spoke to anyone about it. Sahani was alone at home at the time of the incident as his family was out of station, the sister added.

The case has been registered under section 376 (2) (1) of the IPC. While the accused is in the custody of police, no arrest has been as yet, said ACP Atul Zende.

The victim and the accused were both sent for medical examination. The victim is admitted in a private hospital in Deolali.

"We are awaiting the medical reports, after which will we take necessary action. Army officers have been informed that a case has been filed against their officer and that he is in our custody," Zende said.