Indian masseur in Australia abused 61 women in 9 months; jailed for 13 years

An Indian-origin massage therapist has been sentenced to 13 years and 10 months in prison in Australia for sexually abusing 61 women at a massage parlour in Adelaide, with a judge describing his conduct as “out of control” and “exploitative”.

According to a report by ABC News, 39-year-old Sumit Satish Rastogi pleaded guilty to 97 offences – including 55 counts of indecent filming and 42 counts of aggravated indecent assault – committed between October 2021 and July 2022 at a massage business in Glenelg, in Adelaide’s western suburbs.

Rastogi, who moved to Adelaide from Delhi in 2011, was arrested in July 2022. The court had earlier heard he was working as an unqualified massage therapist when the offences took place.

COURT SAYS ABUSE ESCALATED OVER MONTHS

During a three-hour sentencing hearing on Friday, South Australia District Court Judge Carmen Matteo detailed the offences committed over nine months and said Rastogi had violated women who were “trusting, unsuspecting and entitled to safety, respect and dignity”. “Your offending conduct was regular and, at times, prolific,” the judge said.

Judge Matteo said the offending became more severe as Rastogi “developed confidence”, particularly after he began interfering with victims’ underwear and secretly capturing invasive images.

“By June and July 2022, I would characterise your offending against client victims as being out of control and showing no signs of restraint until the moment you got caught,” she said.

The judge also noted it was “somewhat remarkable” that Rastogi had been able to provide massage services for payment despite lacking formal qualifications.

VICTIMS RECOUNT LASTING TRAUMA

Several victims described deep psychological trauma and loss of trust caused by the abuse. One woman told the court the assault took place during her honeymoon, turning what should have been “one of the happiest weekends” of her life into a “haunting memory”.

She said the incident left her unable to trust male healthcare professionals, including doctors and physiotherapists, and affected openness within her marriage.

Another victim criticised the “relentless delays” in the legal process, telling the court it had been 1,271 days since the assault and that prolonged proceedings had prevented survivors from beginning proper healing and therapy.

Outside court after sentencing, two victims urged women not to ignore situations that felt wrong. “If it doesn’t feel right, it means it’s not right,” one woman said.

Both women also questioned Rastogi’s remorse, saying his apology appeared filled with excuses rather than accountability.

VOYEURISTIC DISORDER CITED DURING HEARING

The court heard Rastogi had been diagnosed by a psychiatrist with voyeuristic disorder, involving sexual arousal from observing unsuspecting semi-naked women.

Judge Matteo said the diagnosis provided a “clinically plausible explanation” for the offending but did not absolve him of responsibility. The disorder remained untreated and could not be addressed while he was in prison, the court was told.

Defence lawyer Adam Richards said Rastogi had asked him to reiterate his apology in court. “He can’t forgive himself, and he expects no one else to forgive him,” Richards said.

Rastogi was sentenced to 13 years and 10 months behind bars, with a non-parole period of 10 years and 10 months. The sentence was backdated to his arrest, making him eligible for parole in 2035.

The court also heard it was likely he would be deported from Australia after serving his sentence.