A newlywed woman in Varanasi, who endured six years of sexual abuse in silence, finally found the courage to report the crime with the unwavering support of her husband, police said on Saturday. The 24-year-old husband set an example by approaching senior police officers to seek justice for his wife.
Based on his complaint, Mirzamurad police booked Dashrath Patel, 60, under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for repeated rape and criminal intimidation, as well as under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, said ACP (Rajatalab) Ajay Srivastava. Patel, a local pathologist and neighbour of the survivor, has been absconding since the First Information Report (FIR) was registered, and efforts are underway to trace him.
Details of the Abuse
According to police, the abuse began on September 9, 2019, when the survivor was just 14 years old and waiting outside her coaching centre. Patel, who owned a pathology centre nearby, allegedly took her inside, pulled down the shutter, and raped her. He then threatened her into silence, exploiting her fear of social stigma. Over the years, he continued to blackmail her over the phone, threatening to defame her, and allegedly raped her repeatedly from 2019 to 2025.
Turning Point: Marriage and Support
In April 2025, the survivor's family married her to a young man. After moving to her in-laws' house, she observed the caring and supportive nature of her husband. Gathering courage, she confided in him about the trauma she had endured for six years. Instead of shying away, the husband decided to stand by her and help her seek justice. He accompanied her to senior police officials, leading to the registration of the case.
Police have assured a thorough investigation and urged the public to come forward with any information about the absconding accused. The case highlights the critical role that family support can play in encouraging survivors of sexual violence to report crimes.
