Mumbai: Stray Dog Saves Woman from Assault in Vasai; Suspect Apprehended
Vasai, 4th July 2024: In the early hours of June 30, at Tungareshwar Gully in Vasai, a 32-year-old accountant narrowly escaped a potential assault by a man later identified as Sandeep Khot, aged 35. According to police reports, Khot, who is nearly seven feet tall, accosted the woman from behind, pushed her to the ground, covered her mouth, and threatened her with assault.
However, the situation took a turn when a stray dog nearby began barking loudly at Khot. Startled by the noise, Khot’s grip loosened, allowing the woman to break free and flee towards the main road. Despite escaping further harm, Khot managed to snatch her iPhone before fleeing the scene.
The woman recounted that she had arrived at Vasai station from Mumbai on the last train before the incident. As she walked through Tungareshwar lane near Zygote IVF Centre, she noticed a man stalking her. Suddenly, he confronted her, threatened her with rape, and attempted to silence her. She managed to resist his advances when the stray dog intervened, creating a momentary distraction that enabled her escape.
An officer from Manikpur police station mentioned, “Tungareshwar gully, being a shortcut to the main road, was deserted late at night when the incident occurred, coinciding with the India-South Africa final.”
The police have registered a case under Sections 392, 354, 354(D), and 506 of the Indian Penal Code and initiated an investigation led by PSI Harish Patil. Despite limited visibility in the CCTV footage from nearby shops due to darkness, the police identified and apprehended Khot within 24 hours.
Khot, previously involved in impersonating a police officer and duping people in Dahisar, Kandivli, and Nalasopara, had recently been released from jail after serving time in a cheating case. He was residing in a dormitory in Vasai after being disowned by his family.
Local social worker Dr Ashok Rajprohit criticized the authorities for not addressing repeated demands for better lighting and CCTV surveillance in the area, citing this incident as a tragic example of negligence prompting belated action.
