Virar gang-rape: FIR against 3 accused after 40-year-old woman's complaint
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A 40-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped in the Dongarpada area of Virar West, Maharashtra, in the early hours of 24 June 2025, according to a complaint filed with local police. Authorities have registered a case against two named accused — identified as Tejas and Deepak — and one unidentified individual, and have launched a formal investigation.
What the FIR States
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the alleged assault took place between 2:46 am and 4:30 am on 24 June. The complainant alleged that the three accused acted in collusion, taking her to a secluded lane in Dongarpada where the crime was committed.
The FIR was initially registered at the Virar Police Station under Section 70(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Since the incident falls within the jurisdiction of the Bolinj Police Station, the case has since been transferred there for further investigation. A detailed probe is currently under way.
Background: A Recurring Pattern in Maharashtra
This incident comes amid growing concern over sexual violence cases in Maharashtra. In a separate case reported in September 2025, a 17-year-old girl from Kalyan in Thane district was allegedly raped by seven men over a period of five months. According to officials at the Mahatma Phule police station, the abuse began after the primary accused befriended the minor on Instagram in April 2025.
The crime came to light when the victim's family discovered objectionable videos of her circulating online. The accused had allegedly recorded the encounters without her consent and shared the footage with six associates, who then used the material to blackmail the minor into further sexual compliance. The six accused reportedly belonged to affluent families in the Murbad and Bhiwandi areas of Thane district. All seven accused were subsequently arrested and produced before a local court, which remanded them in police custody.
Key Legal Provisions Invoked
The Virar case has been registered under Section 70(1) of the BNS, which deals with gang rape. The BNS, which replaced the Indian Penal Code, carries stringent provisions for such offences, including a minimum sentence of 20 years' rigorous imprisonment, extendable to life. Investigators have not yet disclosed whether additional charges are likely to be added as the probe progresses.
What Happens Next
The Bolinj Police Station is now leading the investigation into the Virar case. Authorities are yet to confirm whether any arrests have been made in connection with the 24 June incident. The case is expected to be closely monitored given the severity of the alleged crime and the ongoing public debate around women's safety in Maharashtra.