Police have reasons to believe that contrary to earlier speculations in the media, the victim was not a regular commercial sex worker. A section of the media had reported that the victim was a regular commercial sex worker who operated in the Colaba area.
Latest investigations have revealed that the 52-year-old woman, who was allegedly raped by Abhishek Kasliwal, has a respectable background. Police have contacted her relatives in hometown Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. “Her relatives have decent jobs in respectable firms in Visakhapatnam and Bangalore. Even her 25-year-old son holds a good job in Visakhapatnam,” said Ramakant Dhole, senior police inspector at Worli police station.
He, however, refused to divulge further details about her family as it would hamper investigations. Police said that the victim was not a resident of Mumbai, and was in the city for about a month on vacation. “On Friday night, she went to Colaba to meet a friend,” said Dhole. The victim has been provided security cover and her location has been kept secret.
Police picked up individuals to substantiate if the victim and the accused knew each other. “Preliminary inquiries indicate that they did not know each other,” said a police officer. Mira Road resident Stephanie Jordan (45), who had been with the victim till 1.30am that night, and Dilip Shetty (27), who claimed to be another victim of Abhishek, were questioned by police for corroborating the evidence gathered during the preliminary investigation. Stephanie works as pavement bookseller in Colaba.
Police alleged that Abhishek had bad habits. “In this case, grievous assault is confirmed. We are inquiring about his habits from places he visited. He is known to be notorious,” said a police officer. Several allegations against Abhishek were being probed by the police.
Even as accusations fly fast, the the Kasliwal family and their advocate, Shirish Gupte, have decided to maintain a stoic silence. On being asked whether his client Abhishek had commented on the accusations of “drug abuse” and having a “history of sexual violence”, Gupte maintained he was yet to interview the client. Abhishek’s father, Ambuj Kasliwal, refused to comment.
Abhishek’s lawyers
- He claimed in the court that it was a consensual sex and not a rape
- The victim is habitual drinker and smoker and there are no signs of rape
- No resistance from the victim and there was consent from the victim
Victim’s version
- She was picked up from near a museum in Colaba
- She was repeatedly raped four times and assaulted
- She was dropped back at Colaba after the incident
Witnesses, security
- He opened the gate and let Kasliwal’s car into the parking slot
- He had seen the victim in Kasliwal’s car
- He was present when Kasliwal left thepremises
Police
- The victim is not a commercial sex worker
- Kasliwal’s reputation is nasty
- Enough evidence to prove rape charges
The other versions
- Stephanie Jordan claimed that she was with the victim on that night before she was picked up
- She claimed to have known Kasliwal before
- She claimed that Kasliwal regularly picked up commercial sex workers
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