Grocery shop worker booked for rape on marriage pretext & cheating woman of Rs 1.5 lakh

Indore: A grocery shop worker was booked for allegedly raping a woman on the pretext of marriage and cheating her of Rs 1.50 lakh in Indore. The case was registered on Friday after the woman approached the police with a complaint accusing the man of sexually exploiting her and taking money from her in the name of repaying a loan.MIG police station in-charge CB Singh said a case was registered against the accused, a resident of Shiv Shakti Nagar, under relevant sections. In her complaint, the woman told the police that she was working at a grocery shop for the past four years, where the accused was employed as a porter. During this period, the two became acquainted and gradually developed a friendship. They also began speaking regularly over the phone.The police said on Nov 3, 2024, the man took the woman to his house, telling her that he wanted to introduce her to his mother and discuss their marriage. However, when they reached the house, no one else was present. When the woman questioned this, the accused allegedly asked her to wait for 10 to 15 minutes, claiming that his mother would arrive soon. Taking advantage of the situation, he allegedly forced himself on her against her will and assured her that they would get married soon.Police said the accused continued to maintain physical relations with the woman thereafter, repeatedly assuring her that he would marry her. Over the time, whenever the woman raised the issue of marriage, he allegedly claimed that he was under debt and needed Rs 1.50 lakh to clear it. Trusting him, the woman arranged the money through a loan and handed over Rs 1.50 lakh to him.Despite receiving the money, the accused neither returned the amount nor agreed to marry her, the complaint stated. After realising that she was deceived, the woman informed her family members and later lodged a complaint with the police. Officers said a case was registered and further investigation into the matter was underway.