Archive · 22 Dec 2025
Deaf and mute woman exposes 16-year-old sexual abuse case in Mumbai
A deaf and mute woman in Mumbai recently broke her 16-year silence to report a sexual assault that happened when she was a minor.
She was invited to a friend's birthday party in 2009, where the accused, Mahesh Pawar, allegedly drugged and raped her.
He also recorded the assault and used the video to blackmail her.
The survivor's trauma was reignited when another woman from her community attempted suicide, allegedly due to assaults by the same man.
With the help of her friends and a sign language interpreter, she reported the crime to the police.
The investigation revealed that Pawar had similarly assaulted and blackmailed several other women from the deaf community, extorting money, gold, and mobile phones from them.
The accused has been arrested, and the police are looking into more potential victims.
A deaf and mute woman reported a sexual assault that occurred 16 years ago in Mumbai, leading to the arrest of the accused, Mahesh Pawar.
The survivor was allegedly drugged and raped by Pawar in 2009, who then blackmailed her with a video of the assault.
The survivor came forward after another woman from the deaf community attempted suicide, allegedly due to assaults by the same accused.
With the help of friends and a sign language interpreter, the survivor approached the police, leading to Pawar's arrest.
The investigation revealed that Pawar had assaulted and blackmailed several other women from the deaf community, extorting money, gold, and mobile phones from them.
- Who
- A deaf and mute woman and Mahesh Pawar
- What
- Sexual assault, blackmail, and extortion of multiple women
- When
- The assault occurred in 2009, and the accused was arrested on December 13, 2023
- Where
- The incident took place in Vakola, Santacruz, Mumbai, and the accused was arrested in Virar, Palghar district
- Why
- The survivor came forward after a suicide attempt by another victim allegedly assaulted by the same accused
- Victim
- Deaf and mute woman from Mumbai
- Accused
- Mahesh Pawar
- Incident Year
- 2009
- Arrest Date
- December 13, 2023
- Location of Incident
- Vakola, Santacruz, Mumbai
- Location of Arrest
- Virar, Palghar district
- Number of Victims
- At least 7 confirmed, potentially up to 24
- Blackmail Method
- Obscene videos and nude video calls