Special Correspondent
Pune: In a dramatic twist to the Kondhwa rape case that had shocked the city, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has revealed that the young woman involved had herself invited the accused to her home and that no sedative spray was used in the incident, contrary to the initial narrative circulated in the media and public discourse.
Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar said that during the police investigation, it was found that the accused and the complainant were known to each other and had been friends for several days. “They used to meet regularly and were in constant communication. In fact, the woman herself called the man and invited him to her residence. There is no evidence of any spray being used as earlier speculated,” he stated.
However, Pawar emphasized that since misinformation about the case had spread in society, he had instructed the Police Commissioner to hold a press conference and clarify the actual facts of the investigation. He also confirmed that he has ordered a probe into the reason behind the complaint filed by the woman, despite the circumstances revealed in the investigation.
In a broader context, Ajit Pawar also informed that the Maharashtra government is seriously considering invoking the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in cases involving crimes against women. He mentioned that this proposal was discussed in a recent Cabinet meeting.
“Ensuring law and order, especially in matters related to women, is a top priority of the government. We are taking a tough stance. Discussions are underway about applying MCOCA-type sections even during the trial period, where investigation, evidence, and charges are being framed,” Pawar said. The Law and Judiciary Department of the state has been asked to study the feasibility and legal framework for such application.
He added, “Whenever such incidents occur, the public expresses strong emotions, and there is widespread criticism of the ruling government, the police, and the investigating agencies. However, it is important that society remains calm and does not jump to conclusions until all facts are verified. The Kondhwa case is a clear example of how misleading narratives can create public unrest.”
The case had initially drawn massive attention after the young woman, reportedly an engineering student, alleged that a “courier boy” had entered her home and sexually assaulted her after using a sedative spray. The public reaction was intense, raising concerns about women’s safety in urban areas.
However, the police investigation later revealed that the accused was not a stranger but her friend, and that she had invited him over herself. The supposed use of a sedative spray was also ruled out by forensic and medical reports.
This new direction in the case has led to debates around false complaints, media sensationalism, and the challenges of public trust in gender-sensitive investigations.
