A horrifying case from Mumbai has revealed the sexual exploitation of a 20-year-old woman with mental and physical disabilities, after DNA evidence confirmed that she was raped and impregnated by her own father. The incident came to light when doctors at a South Mumbai hospital discovered she was nearly five months pregnant during treatment for abdominal pain.
Because the victim is unable to hear or speak, investigators faced significant difficulties in understanding what had happened. Mumbai Police launched a wide-ranging probe and conducted DNA tests on around 16–17 men connected to the woman, including neighbours and relatives.
The forensic report ultimately matched the father’s DNA with that of the unborn child, leading to his arrest. Earlier in the investigation, a teenage boy and another adult man were arrested based on initial allegations. Authorities continue to examine whether more individuals were involved and have assured that the victim is receiving medical and psychological support.
A Painstaking Investigation into a Tragic Crime
The disturbing case emerged in October 2025, when the woman was taken to Cama & Albless Hospital in Mumbai after she complained of persistent stomach pain. During medical examinations, doctors discovered she was pregnant a shocking revelation given her vulnerable condition and inability to communicate. The hospital promptly informed the Cuffe Parade police, triggering an investigation into possible sexual assault.
Officers soon realised that the case would be complex, as the survivor could not provide a verbal statement. Police therefore sought the assistance of counsellors and special educators to communicate with her through drawings, gestures and visual aids. Over several sessions, the woman was able to indicate that she had been abused by multiple people.
Based on these initial disclosures, police arrested a 16-year-old boy and a 34-year-old man. However, investigators did not stop there. Determined to uncover the full truth, they collected DNA samples from all potential suspects who had access to the victim. After weeks of forensic testing at the Kalina laboratory, the final report delivered a devastating result the biological father of the foetus was none other than her own father.
A senior police official described the outcome as “deeply distressing” and said the evidence left no doubt about his involvement. The 50-year-old man was immediately taken into custody and charged under stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and laws protecting persons with disabilities.
Understanding the Wider Context and Challenges
The case has highlighted not only the cruelty of the crime but also the immense obstacles that survivors with disabilities face in seeking justice. Investigators admitted that recording the victim’s statement was one of the most challenging aspects of the probe. Without the help of trained counsellors and disability rights organisations, the truth may never have emerged.
According to police, the woman initially refrained from naming her father out of fear and confusion. It was only after prolonged therapy and a sense of safety that she was able to convey that he had been assaulting her over a period of months. Reports indicate that the abuse often occurred when she was alone at home, making it even harder for anyone to notice warning signs.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with neighbours expressing disbelief that such a crime could happen within a family. Legal experts have pointed out that people with intellectual and communication disabilities are among the most vulnerable to sexual violence, as they often cannot report abuse or defend themselves.
The case has also sparked renewed discussion about the need for stronger monitoring systems, caregiver education and specialised support mechanisms for persons with disabilities. Meanwhile, officials have confirmed that the survivor underwent a medically supervised termination of pregnancy and is currently receiving counselling and rehabilitation support.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This tragic incident forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about how society treats its most vulnerable members. Sexual violence is always a grave crime, but when it is inflicted upon a person who cannot speak, hear or advocate for herself, the betrayal becomes even more heartbreaking. The fact that the perpetrator was someone entrusted with her care makes the offence unimaginably cruel.
At The Logical Indian, we believe that every individual regardless of ability, gender or circumstance deserves dignity, safety and compassion. Cases like this underline the urgent need for better protection systems for persons with disabilities: trained caregivers, accessible helplines, community vigilance and sensitive policing practices. Justice must not depend on a survivor’s ability to communicate in conventional ways.
