Gurgaon: A 25-year-old blind woman has alleged that a man she met while waiting for transport in Pataudi sexually assaulted her at hotels and stole money from her bank account over a period of two months.The woman, a govt employee who lives with her parents in Gurgaon, had travelled to Delhi for official work on May 3. While returning home, she reached Pataudi around 8.30pm and was waiting for transport when the accused, Sonu, approached her. He claimed to work at a hospital as an ambulance driver and offered to drop her at her house. Though initially reluctant, she accepted his help.During the ride, Sonu enquired about her work and told her he had contacts in her department who could assist her with official matters. He took her phone number and continued to stay in touch with her.On May 10, he met her outside her office and took her to a restaurant. She alleged that despite being married, he proposed that they live together. When she refused, he apologised and asked to remain friends. They continued meeting at restaurants.Because she cannot see, the woman told police that she did not know where he was taking her during these meetings. Over time, she began trusting him and occasionally allowed him to help her withdraw money from ATMs, which gave him access to her PIN.On May 25, Sonu suggested they should go out to eat. She believed they were heading to a restaurant but later realised they had entered a hotel. He took her to a room at Dev Hotel in Pataudi and assured her there was nothing to fear. She said he again expressed his feelings, and she clearly refused, but he allegedly forced himself on her despite her objections.The woman further alleged that he took her ATM card from her bag without her knowledge. Since he had previously helped her withdraw cash, he knew her PIN. Her account generally had between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh, and her monthly salary was around Rs 58,000. However, when she later needed money, she could not find her ATM card.When confronted, Sonu admitted having the card and said he had withdrawn money because he needed it. He promised to return the money and gave the card back about ten days later. However, when she checked her account, she found that the account was empty. Sonu assured he would repay the amount but repeatedly failed to do so.The woman then obtained Sonu’s family’s contact number and spoke to them. Upon learning this, he allegedly threatened to commit suicide, saying he would leave a note holding her responsible for his death if she continued demanding the money.On July 30, he called her and said he was near her office with the money. She agreed to meet him, but instead of repaying her there, he took her to a hotel where he allegedly forced himself on her again despite her objections. He then allegedly repeated his suicide threat.The woman eventually informed the police, and a case was registered on Aug 5 under sections 64(2)(m) (repeated sexual assault) and 316(2) (dishonest misappropriation of property) of the BNS at Pataudi police station.
