Man Posing as Transgender Arrested for Sexual Assault After Entering Home On Pretext of Fertility Ritual in Mumbai

A 30-year-old married man has been arrested in Powai for allegedly posing as a transgender person to gain entry into homes and sexually assault a woman under the guise of performing fertility rituals.

The accused, identified as Anil Shinde, resides in Kalwa, Thane, with his wife and son. Investigators revealed that Shinde regularly dressed in a sari to impersonate a transgender individual, using the guise to claim spiritual powers and offer remedies for family issues.

Modus Operandi in Powai

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when Shinde targeted a family in Powai whose daughter had been unable to conceive after four years of marriage. With the victim's husband away at work, Shinde approached the residence, offered blessings to an elderly relative, and claimed he could perform a ritual to help the younger woman conceive.

Once inside the flat, Shinde asked the woman to lie down to begin the procedure. He initially touched her head before sexually assaulting her. Before fleeing the premises, he collected ₹2,000 from the victim, claiming the money was required for the ritual's completion.

The victim reported the assault to her husband an hour later after realising the act was not a legitimate ritual. The couple immediately approached the Powai police station to lodge a formal complaint.

Traced Through 120 CCTV Cameras

With no preliminary details regarding the suspect's identity, the Mumbai Police reportedly launched an extensive investigation, scanning footage from 120 CCTV cameras across the housing society and adjoining routes.

Investigators spotted Shinde boarding an autorickshaw to escape the locality. By tracking the vehicle's registration number, officers questioned the auto driver, who disclosed the drop-off location in Thane. Technical intelligence and local input led police to Shinde's hideout in Kalwa, where he was detained the same night.

Broader Probe Underway

Primary verification confirmed that despite his appearance and claims, Shinde is a married man with a family. Investigators are currently scrutinising his mobile phone records, routine movements, and past visits to residential societies across Mumbai and Thane to determine if he employed similar tactics elsewhere.

Shinde was produced before a local court and remanded in police custody until August 24. Police have urged potential victims who may have been targeted through similar pretences to step forward.