Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Congress Leader Seeks Security for Corporator Aiding Gang-Rape Survivor
A woman reported that she was sexually assaulted at a farmhouse in Bapgaon.
She asked Kanchan Kulkarni, a local elected representative, for help.
Kulkarni went with her to the police station, where a complaint was filed.
The complaint named former BJP MLA Narendra Pawar and dismissed police officer Shailesh Patil.
Congress leader Sandhya Sawalakhe met Kulkarni and asked that she receive security.
Sawalakhe said there were concerns about alleged threats connected to the case.
She also questioned why the accused had not yet been arrested.
She said the courts should decide the legal issues, while police must investigate properly and protect the survivor and people helping her.
Maharashtra Pradesh Mahila Congress president Sandhya Sawalakhe sought security for KDMC corporator Kanchan Kulkarni.
Kulkarni assisted the alleged Bapgaon farmhouse gang-rape survivor in filing a complaint at Padgha police station.
Sawalakhe questioned the delay in arresting former BJP MLA Narendra Pawar and dismissed police officer Shailesh Patil.
She cited alleged threats linked to Patil as a reason for concern about Kulkarni’s safety.
Sawalakhe said political affiliations should not affect a fair investigation or the survivor’s access to justice.
- Who
- Maharashtra Pradesh Mahila Congress president Sandhya Sawalakhe, KDMC corporator Kanchan Kulkarni, and the accused former BJP MLA Narendra Pawar and dismissed police officer Shailesh Patil.
- What
- Sawalakhe sought security for Kulkarni and questioned the delay in arrests in an alleged gang-rape case.
- When
- Sawalakhe met Kulkarni on Wednesday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- At the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation in Kalyan; the alleged assault was reported at a farmhouse in Bapgaon, Padgha.
- Why
- Kulkarni assisted the survivor in filing a police complaint and is said to face alleged security concerns.
- Congress leader
- Sandhya Sawalakhe, president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Mahila Congress
- Person seeking protection
- Kanchan Kulkarni, a Congress corporator in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation
- Case location
- A farmhouse in Bapgaon, Padgha
- Police station
- Padgha police station
- Named accused
- Former BJP MLA Narendra Pawar and dismissed police officer Shailesh Patil
- Main demand
- Immediate arrests and adequate security for Kulkarni
- Investigation concern
- Sawalakhe questioned the reported delay in the police investigation