40-year-old woman in Ahmedabad alleges neighbour sexually assaulted her in apartment lift.

A woman residing in Ahmedabad’s Anandnagar area has lodged a police complaint alleging that her neighbour sexually assaulted and threatened her inside the lift of their apartment building, police said on Saturday.

According to Anandnagar police, the complainant alleged that the accused, identified as Mayurbhai Tanecha, a resident of the same apartment complex, molested her in the lift of their residential building on March 21.

The woman stated in her complaint that the accused had first come into contact with her several months ago and later began calling and messaging her repeatedly on her phone. She alleged that despite asking him to stop contacting her, he continued attempting to communicate with her.

On the morning of the incident, while she was alone in the lift of the B Block of their apartment building, the accused allegedly entered when the lift stopped on the second floor and proceeded to touch her chest and private parts, make obscene remarks and physically molest her.

The complainant further alleged that the accused threatened to defame her if she disclosed the incident, telling her he would inform others that the two had been in contact over phone calls and messages.

Fearing social repercussions and due to the threats, the woman initially did not disclose the incident to her family, police said. She later informed the accused’s wife about the alleged harassment, but claimed no action was taken.

Subsequently, she approached her brother and later informed her husband before filing a complaint with Anandnagar Police Station.

Anandanagar police have registered an FIR against the accused under relevant sections pertaining to sexual harassment, molestation and criminal intimidation. Investigation into the matter is under way.