Man Arrested in Thane's Kharegaon for Sexual Assault in Powai

A 28-year-old man was arrested from a slum in Kharegaon, Thane, hours after he allegedly posed as a transgender person to enter a residence and sexually assault a person in Powai.

The accused, identified by police as Anil Sheshrao Shinde, gained entry into the survivor's house in Powai on August 18 under the pretext of performing rituals to ward off evil eyes. Police stated that the accused had also impersonated a beggar in addition to pretending to be a transgender person.

According to investigators, after gaining access to the house, Shinde walked into the bedroom and threatened the survivor with physical harm before committing the sexual assault.

Following the incident, a formal complaint was registered at the Powai police station. Police teams initiated an investigation and reviewed CCTV footage from the surrounding neighbourhood to identify and track the suspect.

The footage showed the accused, dressed in a saree, leaving the vicinity in an autorickshaw and heading toward Thane. Officers tracked the vehicle's movement to a slum area in Kharegaon, where they located and arrested Shinde.

Following the arrest, police issued an advisory urging residents to exercise caution and remain alert. Authorities specifically advised members of the public against allowing unknown individuals into their homes.