Deaf and mute woman breaks 16-year silence, exposes serial sexual abuse, blackmail in Mumbai

Key Points

1. A deaf and mute woman reported a sexual assault that occurred 16 years ago in Mumbai.
2. The accused, Mahesh Pawar, was arrested on December 13, 2025.
3. The survivor was allegedly drugged and raped in July 2009.
4. The accused blackmailed the survivor with a video of the assault.
5. Initial investigation reveals evidence of abuse of seven women, with the potential for more than 24 victims.
6. The survivor approached the police with support from Thane Deaf Association president Vaibhav Ghaisis, activist Mohammed Farhan Khan, sign language interpreter Madhu Keni, and a retired officer from Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities Divyangjan.