Sr Panvel Civic Official Booked In Rape Case.

Sprouts SIT has uncovered a shocking case involving Panvel’s Additional Municipal Commissioner Bharat Rathod, who is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 39-year-old woman since 2016 and forcing her to undergo three abortions. An FIR names Rathod, his brother Vishal, and a Latur resident. All three accused remain absconding.

FIR Filed Against PCMC’s Bharat Rathod in Sexual Abuse Case

In a disturbing development that could severely impact public trust in civic institutions, the Panvel City Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) Additional Municipal Commissioner Bharat Rathod has been named in a First Information Report (FIR) for allegedly sexually assaulting a 39-year-old woman repeatedly since 2016. According to official police sources, the survivor was allegedly forced to undergo three abortions over this prolonged period of abuse.

The FIR, registered on Monday by the Panvel police, also names Rathod’s brother Vishal Rathod and a third co-accused from Latur, indicating a broader conspiracy. All three individuals have not yet been arrested, and anticipatory bail has not been sought by any of the accused, police confirmed.

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Systemic Abuse of Power and Delayed Action

Sexual assault by government officials | Panvel civic authority under scrutiny

Police Sub-Inspector Pundlik J. Dake, speaking to Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT), stated, “None of the accused have been caught. The public prosecutor has been informed, and hospitals where the alleged abortions were conducted will be examined as part of the investigation.”

The accused official, Bharat Rathod, is currently on “long-term leave” exceeding three months, raising suspicions about potential political or bureaucratic shielding. Sources indicate the woman was allegedly blackmailed using threats of character assassination and promised job assistance in the civic department to keep her silent.

This case adds to a growing list of alleged misconduct by senior government officers, raising critical questions about the screening, accountability, and redressal mechanisms available within Maharashtra’s urban local bodies.

Pattern of Exploitation in Government Hierarchy

Sprouts SIT probes deeper into public office abuse cases in Maharashtra

Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) has previously flagged similar cases of systemic abuse of power by public officials, particularly in local bodies and municipal corporations. In this case, insiders within the PCMC claim Rathod allegedly misused his administrative influence to transfer the victim’s relatives and coerce compliance.

Multiple sources suggest that several internal complaints were either ignored or unofficially settled—a pattern seen across several civic institutions where senior officers are shielded until external media pressure builds.

The inclusion of Rathod’s brother and a Latur-based accomplice in the FIR hints at a possible trafficking or coercion network that may extend beyond city limits, meriting a wider inter-district investigation.

Call for Judicial Oversight and Fast-Track Court Intervention

Legal experts, women’s groups demand accountability in Panvel case

Legal experts consulted by Sprouts SIT argue that this case meets the threshold for fast-track trial under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 and the POCSO Act, depending on further victim testimony. Women’s rights activists in Navi Mumbai and Panvel have called for a judicial probe and suspension of Rathod from his post pending investigation.

Advocate Shobha Gokhale, a senior criminal lawyer, stated, “The delay in arrest reflects the imbalance of power. Any other citizen would be behind bars for less.”

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women has reportedly taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and is likely to demand a report from the PCMC commissioner and the Home Department.

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Public Outrage and Demand for SIT-Led Probe Intensify

Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) urges zero tolerance for bureaucratic abuse

The case has led to widespread public outrage, especially in Panvel and Navi Mumbai, where citizens are questioning the lack of immediate suspension or arrest despite serious charges. Civic employees’ unions are reportedly divided, with some defending Rathod while others demand transparency and internal audit of past conduct.

Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) strongly advocates for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or CBI-led inquiry, particularly given the cross-district elements and the possibility of medical evidence destruction. With growing national media attention, this case is fast becoming a litmus test for Maharashtra’s commitment to gender justice and civic accountability.