Man Arrested in Thane's Kharegaon for Sexual Assault After Disguising as Transgender

A 28-year-old man was arrested from a slum area in Kharegaon, Thane, for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at her residence in Mumbai’s Powai after gaining entry by pretending to be a transgender person.

The accused has been identified as Anil Sheshrao Shinde. According to the police, the incident took place on August 18, when Shinde visited the woman's home under the pretext of performing a ritual meant to protect her household from the evil eye.

After entering the residence, Shinde went into the bedroom, where he threatened the woman with physical violence and proceeded to sexually assault her.

Following the assault, the Powai police registered a formal case and initiated an investigation to identify and locate the perpetrator. As part of the probe, investigating officers analysed CCTV footage from the surrounding locality and traced the suspect's movements.

The footage showed Shinde leaving the area in an autorickshaw while dressed in a saree. Police tracked the vehicle's route, which led them towards a slum settlement located in Kharegaon in Thane, where officers subsequently apprehended him.

Police officials revealed that Shinde had previously engaged in similar deception, having posed as a beggar before switching to impersonating a transgender person.

In light of the incident, law enforcement authorities have advised residents to remain vigilant and refrain from permitting unfamiliar individuals inside their residences without properly verifying their identity and the stated purpose of their visit.