Pune: The Yerawada Police have registered a case against a man accused of repeatedly harassing a woman with caste-based slurs and physical assault while demanding repayment of a loan given on interest.

The accused, identified as Ravindra Rajendra Rajguru, a resident of New Khadki, has been booked under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Maharashtra Prohibition of Money Lending Act.

A 37-year-old woman from Lohegaon lodged the complaint, claiming that the accused, who was an acquaintance, lent her money on interest. Over time, the amount she owed him, including interest, reached ₹62 lakh.

The woman reported that between March 2020 and September 2024, Rajguru repeatedly demanded repayment of the loan. During this period, he allegedly assaulted her using his hands and a belt and made inappropriate physical advances. 

The complaint also mentions that he insulted her using caste-based slurs and constantly harassed her by demanding the keys to her shop. According to the complainant, Rajguru taunted her by saying, "Are you becoming too important now?" while persistently asking for the repayment of the loan.

The Yerawada Police have taken the matter seriously, registering cases under both the Atrocities Act, which deals with offenses against members of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, and the Maharashtra Prohibition of Money Lending Act. Assistant Commissioner of Police Pranjali Sonawane is leading the investigation, and further inquiries are underway to gather more evidence in the case.