A deaf and mute woman from Mumbai recently spoke out about a sexual assault that happened 16 years ago. Her complaint exposed Mahesh Pawar, a serial predator accused of abusing and blackmailing many women in the community. Pawar was arrested on December 13. The survivor broke her silence after hearing about a woman who attempted suicide due to harassment by the same accused. The survivor, living in the western suburbs, used sign language during a video call with friends to reveal the crime. She said Pawar drugged and raped her when she was a minor in 2009. She also told her husband and got help from sign language experts and activists. They went to Kurar police station where her statement was recorded with the help of interpreter Madhu Keni. Pawar was arrested hours later from Virar, Palghar district. The woman described how a female friend took her to Pawar's home in Vakola, Santacruz, on a birthday celebration in July 2009. Pawar gave her spiked samosas and a drink. When her friend left, Pawar overpowered and raped her. He then blackmailed her using a recorded video of the assault. The trauma stayed with her, but the suicide attempt by another victim pushed her to report the crime. Police found Pawar had similarly abused other speech and hearing-impaired women. He blackmailed them with obscene videos and forced them into nude video calls. Police confirmed evidence against Pawar for abusing at least seven women, with potential cases over 24. He also extorted money, gold, and phones from victims. Currently, Pawar is in judicial custody. While others have yet to complain, Ms. Keni states all abused women want to file charges. She added Pawar refused to return money to a victim needing it for medical emergencies.