Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 21: A 30-year-old man was arrested in Mumbai after allegedly entering a woman's house while posing as a transgender person and wearing women's clothing before allegedly sexually assaulting her and taking Rs 2,000, police said.

The accused, identified as Anil Shinde, allegedly approached the woman at her residence in Powai on Wednesday afternoon. According to police, he was dressed in a saree and claimed that he had come to perform a ritual to bless her with a child.

The woman lives with her husband and an elderly family member. Police said the couple has been married for around four to five years and does not have children.

After gaining entry into the house, Shinde allegedly took the woman into a bedroom and threatened her with physical harm before sexually assaulting her. He allegedly took Rs 2,000 from the house and fled the premises.

Following the incident, police examined CCTV footage from the area and traced the autorickshaw allegedly used by the accused to leave Powai. The footage reportedly showed him travelling towards a slum area in Kharegaon, Thane.

Based on the investigation, police traced Shinde and arrested him from Kalwa later the same night.

Investigators have also found that Shinde allegedly used different identities while approaching people and had previously posed as a beggar.

Police have urged residents to exercise caution and avoid allowing strangers into their homes, particularly when they claim to have come to perform religious rituals or offer personal services.