Pune: Woman on the Way to Night Shift Dragged and Raped in Chakan, Accused Arrested

In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves across Pimpri Chinchwad, a 27-year-old woman working a night shift was dragged to a secluded spot and raped near her office in Chakan MIDC. The horrific crime took place on the night of May 13 in the Medankarwadi area, raising serious concerns over women’s safety in industrial zones.

According to police reports, the victim, employed as a helper at a local company, was on her way to work when the accused, Prakash Tukaram Bhangre, followed her near the company premises. He forcibly dragged her behind a school in a deserted area, where he allegedly raped and assaulted her. Despite her attempts to resist—screaming and biting the attacker—she was overpowered. The accused also threatened to kill her if she reported the crime.

Thanks to swift police action, Bhangre was arrested within 24 hours. Authorities formed ten teams, analyzed CCTV footage, and used technical surveillance to track him down. The victim, currently undergoing treatment at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCM), remains traumatized.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Shivaji Pawar confirmed that the accused had been tailing the woman from a bus pick-up point before committing the crime behind a commercial complex near Khandoba Temple. A couple passing by alerted the police, leading to immediate intervention.

This incident has sparked outrage among residents, highlighting the urgent need for better security measures for women, especially those working night shifts in industrial areas like Chakan MIDC.