Surat: A 21-year-old contractual worker allegedly died by suicide after being repeatedly raped, threatened and harassed by her labour contractor, who was arrested by Sachin GIDC police on Tuesday.Investigators recovered a four-page suicide note from the victim’s clothing in which she accused the contractor of rape, criminal intimidation and persistent torture.The victim, a native of Bihar belonging to a Scheduled Tribe community, came to Surat with her relatives in search of work. They were employed by Mumtaz Rabil Ahmad, 25, a labour contractor who supplied workers to various industrial units in Sachin GIDC.According to the police complaint, Ahmad allegedly began harassing the woman soon after she started working. Unable to bear the harassment, she decided to return to her native place. However, police said Ahmad intercepted her at Surat railway station, took her to his house and allegedly raped her at knifepoint.Investigators said the accused repeatedly threatened to ensure that no contractor would employ her if she refused to work for him or resisted his advances. He also allegedly warned her that her wages would be cut if she did not submit to him. Police alleged that the accused continued to sexually assault and intimidate the woman over a prolonged period.Unable to endure the repeated exploitation and threats, the woman allegedly hanged herself in her room on July 9.During the inquest, police recovered a four-page suicide note concealed in her clothing. In the note, she reportedly held Ahmad responsible for her death and detailed the alleged rape, threats and harassment she endured.Based on the complaint and the suicide note, Sachin GIDC police arrested Ahmad and booked him for rape, criminal intimidation, voluntarily causing hurt and abetment to suicide.
