A 21-year-old woman walked into the Colaba police station on Thursday to file a complaint against a 60-year-old dermatologist alleging that he had been raping and blackmailing her for three years.
The doctor has been booked for rape and criminal intimidation.
The victim, whose name had been withheld by the police, claimed that Manohar Shobhani, who runs a clinic in Colaba, had taken obscene pictures of her after giving her sedatives and had been sexually harassing her since 2006.
She claimed that he would threaten to circulate the pictures if she did not give in to his “demands” or complained to anyone.
In 2006, the victim, who was suffering from a skin problem, had visited Shobhani’s clinic in Shalimar building.
Shobhani has been in the profession for over 25 years.
Senior Inspector Deepak Vishwasrao, of the Colaba police station, said: “Shobhani allegedly gave the victim sedatives in the form of medicines. After she fell unconscious, he allegedly took obscene pictures of her which he used to demand sexual favours.”
The victim claimed that she was repeatedly raped by the dermatologist till January 2009.
{{/usCountry}}The victim claimed that she was repeatedly raped by the dermatologist till January 2009.
{{/usCountry}}Reportedly, Shobhani had also promised to find her a husband and bear the wedding expenses.
Vishwasrao said they are still recording Shobhani’s statement. He added that the woman would be sent for a medical check-up to verify her claims, though it may prove inconclusive due to the time lapse.
“We have not arrested the doctor since we are still verifying the complaint,” said Vishwasrao.
“We are also trying to find out why did the girl not approach us earlier. The accused, in his statement, has denied all charges,” he added. “We have seized Shobhani’s computer and three cellphones and sent them to the forensic laboratory. Further investigations are on in the case.”