Maharashtra IPS officer booked for rape in Indore

Indore: A Maharashtra cadre IPS officer has been booked for allegedly raping an UPSC aspirant on pretext of marriage, police said on Saturday.

According to complaint filed by the Jabalpur-based victim, 2013 batch IPS officer Lohit Matani raped her at a hotel in Tukoganj area in August this year after calling her to the city by promising to marry her, Superintendent of Police (East), OP Tripathi said.

The victim alleged that the accused later raped her on several occasions at various places, he said. The IPS officer used to allegedly introduce the victim as his wife or fiancée wherever they stayed, but later reneged from his promise of marriage, Tripathi said.

The victim came in contact with Matani through Facebook while she was preparing for UPSC examination. The accused allegedly made advancements by saying that he will help her out with exam preparations, he said.

The case was lodged against the officer in Jabalpur under section 376 (rape) and 417 (cheating) of the IPC recently and has been transferred to Indore Police since the alleged incident took place here, Tripathi said. Tukoganj Police Station In-charge, Dilip Singh Choudhry, said a detailed investigation is on into the matter. "We will take appropriate action against Matani after probing the charges against him. We are also contacting senior officials of Maharashtra Police," he added.