Special Correspondent
Pune : In a major twist to the sensational Kondhwa rape case that stirred public outrage and raised concerns over women’s safety, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has confirmed that the complaint filed by a 22-year-old IT engineer was false and fabricated. The young woman has reportedly confessed to filing the complaint in a fit of emotional distress.
Contrary to the initial claim that the alleged perpetrator was an unknown intruder, the police investigation has revealed that the accused is actually a close friend of the complainant. According to Commissioner Kumar, “When we asked the complainant the reason behind the complaint, she admitted that her mental state was unstable, and she acted out of emotional agitation. The allegations of rape were untrue.”
The false complaint led to massive deployment of resources22 police teams were formed,
More than 500 CCTV camera footages were analyzed across Kondhwa, Baner, and adjoining areas.
The police had even circulated the suspect’s image captured from society CCTV footage to trace the alleged perpetrator.
However, when the complainant was shown the image during her medical examination at Sassoon General Hospital, she hesitated for over a minute before denying any recognition of the person. “Her suspicious behavior further solidified our doubts,” said officials close to the probe.
The investigation also uncovered that the woman had used a mobile app to edit a selfie taken by the accused and superimpose a threatening message below it: “Main wapas aaoonga” (I will return). She later confessed to police that she had edited the image herself to strengthen her fabricated claim.
The man detained in the case is not a stranger but someone who has been in contact with the woman for over a year. He works at a reputed multinational company in a senior position. Their acquaintance reportedly began at a matrimonial meet, and since then, the man had frequently sent her food using delivery apps.
According to the accused, he visited the woman’s house at her request on the day of the alleged incident a claim supported by their WhatsApp chats retrieved by cyber cell officers. The woman, however, continues to allege that he tried to force himself on her, though no physical or forensic evidence supports her version.
Furthermore, contrary to her claims, no chemical sedative or spray was found in the area, eliminating the possibility of forced unconsciousness — another indication that the incident was staged.
While the complaint has now been conclusively identified as false, no immediate decision has been taken on whether legal action will be initiated against the woman for misleading the police. Commissioner Amitesh Kumar stated, “The investigation is still ongoing into multiple facets of the case. A final call on whether to prosecute the complainant will be made after due legal consultation.”
This incident has raised serious concerns about the misuse of police machinery, especially in sensitive cases like sexual assault. Officials highlighted that such fabricated complaints divert precious resources and may affect the credibility of genuine cases.
Kumar himself personally visited Kondhwa Police Station twice during the investigation. “The case was pursued with utmost seriousness from the very beginning, given the gravity of the charges. It is unfortunate that the efforts of our officers had to be spent on uncovering a deliberate fabrication,” he concluded.
This case has not only shaken the city but also sparked a wider debate on the responsibility that comes with filing sexual assault complaints. Legal experts and women’s rights activists have called for stricter scrutiny in such high-profile investigations, ensuring that while victims are supported, the justice system is not misled.
