MUMBAI: The police are in a dilemma. They are unsure how to proceed in a case where a 55-year-old former airhostess has alleged that 58-year-old owner of a leading private security agency had raped her on several occasions since 1982 after promising marriage.

The Vakola police have also booked the accused under the Atrocity Act as last year, he reportedly refused to marry the complainant because she belongs to a lower caste.

Terming it technical rape—when a victim approaches the police after the relationship turns sour—the police are not relying much on medical evidence; they are trying to look for witnesses. They are yet to figure out if they should sent her for a medical examination as the alleged rape incidents took place years ago. “We have registered the case based on her complaint and are collecting evidence. We will initiate action against the accused after verifying all details,” said senior inspector Vilas Joshi.

In 2008, though the survivor, who is now the cabin crew in-charge of an airline, found out that the accused was married and had children, she still insisted that they tie the knot. After evading marriage for 31 years , in 2013, he finally told the woman that he could not marry her because she is from a lower caste. She decided to approach the police last week as he had “spoiled her entire life” and she remained a spinster for him.

In her complaint, the survivor said she met the accused in a flight in 1982 and they soon got close. They moved in together and even travelled abroad. She claimed he promised to marry her and even met her parents, but later avoided the subject whenever she brought it up.

