Rajkot: An autorickshaw driver was arrested within hours of a complaint being filed by a married woman who accused him of rape, illegal moneylending practices, intimidation and assault, by exploiting her family’s financial distress.Thorala police arrested Husain Goplani, 38, a resident of Dudh Sagar Road, and booked him for rape, assault and criminal intimidation, along with offences under the the Gujarat Money-Lenders Act.The complainant, a 38-year-old woman in the imitation jewellery business, alleged that the offences took place between April 1 and Aug 10.The woman stated that her husband had approached Goplani for a loan of Rs 3 lakh at an interest rate of 14% to fund home repairs. She alleged that Goplani told her he would release the money only if she maintained a relationship with him “like a wife”.The complaint alleges that, taking advantage of the family’s financial hardship, Goplani raped her at her residence on two occasions and threatened to kill her family if she spoke about the crime.The woman later told her husband what had happened. When he confronted Goplani, the accused allegedly abused him verbally, assaulted him with a belt and made death threats.Thorala police inspector Shaktisinh Sodha said preliminary questioning revealed that the complainant had known Goplani for about one-and-a-half to two years. Goplani, an autorickshaw driver, had regularly transported the woman between her home and workplace for around 18 months.Police arrested Goplani after the complaint was registered and have begun further investigation.
