Navy statement after arrest of sailor: Molestation victim’s husband was facing disciplinary action

The statement accused the couple of spreading false information.

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“This is factually incorrect. On the contrary, the lady and her husband have been repeatedly offered to continue to stay in the same house as they were living till now. They have also been repeatedly counselled by their officers and full support for any requirement has been extended to the sailor and his wife.”

It added that on the couple’s request, a Navy sailor provost has been “provided as a safety escort”.

The alleged incident took place at Navy Nagar on May 7, when one Vijay Dhek (32), a sailor, went to the house of his colleague and asked the victim a glass of water. The police said that the husband was at his office at that time. Dhek entered the home and molested the 40-year-old woman in her bedroom after telling her that he could help resolve her marital issues.

A complaint was registered at Cuffe Parade police station on May 12, five days after the incident, and Dhek was arrested. On Saturday, the husband was quoted in a news report saying that he had been asked to vacate the house, where the couple were staying as ‘guests’, after making a police complaint.

The Navy, however, alleged that the woman’s husband had been facing disciplinary proceedings.

“He had joined the Navy in January 2013 and has had repeated disciplinary problems, following which he was warned on March 13, 2014 and September 26, 2014 that if he does not improve his conduct, he may be discharged from service… The sailor in the past also impersonated as a Naval officer and was caught attempting to interfere in the recruitment process of Indian Army for his brother. Given his continuous unsatisfactory conduct and poor disciplinary record, the sailor has been recommended for discharge from the Navy in February 2015 and the same is awaiting the approval of competent authorities,” the statement reads.

The Mumbai Police, meanwhile, said that a TV channel crew had visited Navy Nagar on Saturday. The woman was spotted talking to the channel from a pavement. The Navy wanted them to be removed from there.

“The Navy’s response has come after this visit. The Navy had asked us if we could shift the woman and TV crew from the pavement. But we told the Navy that neither had done anything wrong,” said a senior police officer.

Sharad Barde, senior inspector, Cuffe Parade police station said, “We had registered a case of molestation immediately after the woman visited the police station. Our investigation is under way.”

srinath.rao@expressindia.com