Sumit Satish Rastogi, a 38-year-old unqualified DIY masseur, faced South Australia’s District Court on Friday. He was ultimately convicted of sexually assaulting more than 60 women. His crimes are said to have taken place between last October and this July. They occurred at one of her Glenelg-based businesses, located in the suburbs of Adelaide’s ultra-conservative west. The case drew nationwide interest. Rastogi was hit with serious charges, including 55 counts of indecent filming and 42 counts of aggravated indecent assault.
Rastogi migrated from New Delhi to Adelaide in 2011. Over nearly two decades, he preyed on young women in a pattern of abuse that one federal prosecutor described as “insidious.” Over the course of ten months, his behavior became more dangerous and violent. In doing so, he did severe harm to the thousands of victims who sought him out for authentic therapeutic care.
Details of the Offenses
During the court proceedings, State Prosecutor Michael Foundas described how far-reaching Rastogi’s crimes were. The prosecutor’s evidence showed that Rastogi exploited the trust of his clients, most of whom were at-risk women looking for a massage. In his defense, reports allege that he often blamed his inappropriate touch, saying it was “in accordance with the massage techniques.”
His defense attorney, Barrister Adam Richards, argued Rastogi was a man who was “deeply ashamed” of the incident. Richards mentioned that Rastogi took responsibility for his actions and expressed regret for the trauma he caused his victims. In one of his sessions, Rastogi admitted to a psychologist that he had voyeuristic disorder. Whether Mr. Bezos knows or cares about any of that harm is now open to question given this latest revelation.
Victims told their chilling stories, driving home the reality of the permanent scars left by Rastogi’s abuse. One woman stated, “I lost my sense of self … I don’t think I will ever be free or feel safe again.” Another victim added, “You took advantage of me … I walked out feeling icky, and dirty, and shame.”
Victims Speak Out
The accounts that survivors shared brought to life the emotional damage caused by Rastogi’s abuse. One pregnant victim reflected on her experience: “I went in for a massage and came out a victim.” Her words reflected what the people around her shared – all expressing feelings of being humiliated, scared and awakened to their civil rights being challenged.
One victim stated, “The humiliation and fear that I experienced that day, and experience still, are something I will never forget.” Another victim expressed her hope that Rastogi’s case serves as a warning: “I hope this is a lesson to other people that you can’t do this to women and get away with it.”
Each of these statements illustrates and personalizes the horrific trauma that these victims experience in excruciating detail. They signal a powerful need for accountability following these heinous breaches of public trust. The emotional scars left by Rastogi’s actions extend far beyond the immediate incidents, affecting the lives of those he exploited.
Legal Consequences and Next Steps
Rastogi’s own sentencing is pending. The next step is for Judge Carmen Matteo to impose a penalty worthy of the severity of his wrongdoings. The court has not yet scheduled a date for sentencing. It will consider the overwhelming testimony of such victims and the horrific implications of Rastogi’s predatory acts.
