Nagpur: An Indian Police Service (IPS) officer posted in Nandurbar district has been booked for rape following serious allegations by a woman doctor, who claimed he sexually exploited her under the false promise of marriage. The case has been registered at Imamwada Police Station, and the accused officer, Darshan Dugad (30), reportedly fled after the complaint was lodged.

According to police sources, the accused, a native of Yavatmal, allegedly befriended the woman via Instagram in November 2022, during the time she was pursuing her MBBS degree. The two developed a close relationship, exchanging phone numbers and meeting in person. The complainant later began working at a private hospital.

During this period, the officer’s mother fell ill, and the woman reportedly helped with her treatment and hospital expenses. Following his mother’s demise, the officer took the woman on a trip to Kerala. It was during this trip that he allegedly coerced her into sexual relations at a hotel, convincing her with the assurance of marriage. A similar incident was later reported at a hotel in the Imamwada area of Nagpur.

The woman further stated that she supported the officer emotionally and financially while he was unemployed and preparing for the UPSC examinations. After his selection and posting as an IPS officer, he allegedly began to distance himself. During his training in Hyderabad, she visited him, where the sexual exploitation reportedly continued.

When the woman pressed for marriage, the officer is alleged to have verbally abused her using caste-based slurs and physically assaulted her. Distressed, she approached one of his relatives, but was insulted again, prompting her to file a police complaint.

Based on her detailed statement, Imamwada police registered a case under relevant sections of the IPC, including rape and criminal intimidation, as well as provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The investigation is underway, and police are currently searching for the accused.