Fashion designer raped and cheated of Rs 91 lakh in hotels in Surat and Goa; two arrested

The survivor added that the accused had pawned jewellery worth Rs 16 lakh, sold jewellery worth Rs 24 lakh and taken the remaining amount in cash. The accused is said to have Fraud under the pretext of investing in the stock market and did not repay the money.

Gurjar said that based on the woman’s complaint, the main accused, Paresh Labhu Bhai Vaniya, a resident of Pune area in Surat, was arrested. The other suspects, according to police, include Suresh Ghanshyam Bhai Bhuniya and Ashok Ramji Bhai Bhungadia.

One of these accomplices was arrested along with Paresh while the search for the third suspect continues, police added.

Gurjar added that Suresh, who was in touch with the victim and worked as an embroidery artist, introduced her to Paresh, who then allegedly built a fake relationship with the survivor and also promised to marry her. She also became pregnant with his child, but Paresh left her when she was diagnosed with cancer. He allegedly continued to abuse her during the treatment.

During their fraudulent relationship, Paresh allegedly tricked the victim into pawning jewellery worth Rs 16.6 lakh, selling jewellery worth Rs 24.42 lakh and looting Rs 50 lakh in cash.

The accused also threatened the woman. Police are investigating the hotels in Surat, Mumbai and Goa and the pawned jewellery and cash deposits, DCP said.