Mumbai: Real Estate Broker Arrested for Rape and False Marriage Promises

MUMBAI: A 43-year-old real estate broker has been arrested on charges of rape and exploiting his business partner on the false promise of marriage, as well as threatening and stalking her. The Amboli police arrested the broker and produced him before the Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate court, which remanded him to police custody.

The complainant, a business partner of the accused, came into contact with him in January 2023 at a Juhu-based property office. The accused gained her trust by proposing a business partnership, and they started a brokerage firm together in August 2023 at a co-working space in Andheri West. During their business relationship, the accused allegedly misrepresented his marital status, claiming he was in the process of divorcing his wife, and promised to marry the complainant.

When the complainant later questioned him about their marriage plans, the accused allegedly told her that he would not leave his wife and instead demanded that she remain his mistress. He continued to threaten her, and the complainant eventually stopped attending the office and blocked him. Despite this, the accused allegedly continued stalking her.

The accused's lawyer, Prabhakar Tripathi, has alleged that his client has been falsely arrested. According to Tripathi, the FIR is a dispute between the two partners and a counter-blast to ongoing arbitration proceedings. The High Court had previously granted an injunction restraining the complainant from using the company’s intellectual property rights on social media. Despite her violation of this order, a contempt petition was filed.

The case has raised concerns about the exploitation and abuse of women in business partnerships and the importance of due diligence in professional relationships. Authorities are urging other potential victims to come forward and share their experiences.