Nursing student drugged and raped by auto driver in Ratnagiri amid outrage over sexual assault in Badlapur

Mumbai: A 19-year-old nursing student was allegedly raped by an autorickshaw driver in Ratnagiri district of coastal Konkan belt of Maharashtra, amid outrage over the sexual harassment of two minor girls in Badlapur.

The Eknath Shinde-led Maha Yuti government, which is already under criticism after the sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls by a male teacher at a private school came to light, has come under even greater criticism after the Ratnagiri incident.

Following the Ratnagiri incident, there were protests by nurses and hospital staff demanding action against the accused.

According to reports, the victim had hired an auto-rickshaw to return home, but the driver allegedly drugged her, took her to a remote location and committed the crime before abandoning the victim.

The survivor is currently in a local hospital.

Ratnagiri Police Commissioner Dhananjay Kulkarni said that an 11-member special investigation team has been formed to probe the case. “The SIT will be headed by a woman inspector,” he said, adding that teams have been sent to different places and the incident will be investigated from all angles.

As part of the investigation, police teams are securing video surveillance recordings, even though the accused is still at large.

Acting NCP (SP) president and Baramati MP Supriya Sule said the student was reportedly raped by an auto driver who offered her alcohol-laced water on her way home from college.

“While the government continues to baton-charge the angry parents protesting against the assault on schoolgirls in Badlapur, the rapists are walking free with impunity. It is the lack of intent that has led to the complete breakdown of law and order in the state,” she said, adding that the government should take strict action against the perpetrator and give priority to preventive policy measures.