Navi Mumbai [India], September 15: A disturbing case involving a dating app meeting has come to light in Navi Mumbai, where two sisters allegedly faced sexual assault after being invited to Seawoods by two men they had met through Tinder. One of the sisters is reportedly a minor. The complaint has led to a police investigation, with the NRI Coastal Police examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the complaint reported by multiple Marathi news outlets, the two sisters, who live in Mumbai’s Santacruz area, became acquainted with two young men through Tinder. After communicating online for several days, the men allegedly gained their trust and invited them to meet in Navi Mumbai. The accused reportedly arranged an online taxi for the sisters to travel to Seawoods.
After the sisters reached Seawoods, the two men allegedly took them to a mall and other locations before the situation took a disturbing turn. The complaint states that the women were allegedly made to consume beer against their wishes. They were subsequently taken to a hotel in the Seawoods area, reportedly on the pretext of resting.
The complaint alleges that the sisters were sexually assaulted after they were taken to the hotel. The details of the alleged assault are being investigated by the police, and the identities of the women have not been disclosed. Since one of the alleged victims is a minor, authorities are also examining whether proper age and identity verification procedures were followed when she was allowed into the hotel.
The sisters reportedly returned home and informed their family members about what had happened. Following this, a complaint was lodged in Mumbai. The case was subsequently transferred to the NRI Coastal Police in Navi Mumbai for further investigation because the alleged incident took place in the Seawoods area. Police have reportedly arranged medical examinations of the two sisters as part of the investigation.
Investigators are now examining CCTV footage from the hotel, mall and surrounding areas to establish the movements of the women and the two men. The footage could help police determine when the group arrived in Seawoods, which locations they visited and when they entered and left the hotel. Police are also working to establish the identities and roles of the men named in the complaint.
The fact that one of the alleged victims is a minor has added another serious dimension to the investigation. Police are checking whether the hotel followed mandatory procedures for verifying guests’ identification and age. Any negligence or violation found during the inquiry could lead to further action against those responsible.
The case has also renewed concerns about safety when people meet strangers through online dating platforms. While dating apps are widely used to meet new people, police and cyber-safety experts have repeatedly advised users to take precautions when meeting someone they know only through an online profile. Meeting in a public location, informing family or friends about the plan and avoiding situations where a person becomes isolated or intoxicated can reduce risks.
At this stage, the allegations remain part of an ongoing police investigation. The accused individuals will have the opportunity to respond through the legal process, and the final facts of the case will depend on the evidence collected by investigators, including CCTV footage, medical reports and statements from those involved.
The Navi Mumbai Police continues to investigate the matter. The force’s official website lists 112 as the emergency police number and 1091 as the women’s helpline.
