Indian-origin masseur jailed for nearly 14 years in Australia for abusing 61 women

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, in a case a judge described as “exploitative” and spiraling “out of control”.

According to 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, Adelaide’s western suburbs.

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

'Abuse escalated over 9 months'

During a nearly three-hour sentencing hearing on May 16, South Australia District Court Judge Carmen Matteo detailed how Rastogi repeatedly violated women who were “trusting, unsuspecting and entitled to safety, respect and dignity”.

“Your offending conduct was regular and, at times, prolific,” Judge Matteo said.

The court found that the abuse intensified over time as Rastogi “developed confidence”, particularly after he began tampering with victims’ underwear and secretly capturing invasive images.

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

She also noted it was “somewhat remarkable” that Rastogi had been able to offer paid massage services despite having no formal qualifications.

Victims describe lasting trauma

Several victims told the court the abuse left deep psychological scars and permanently damaged their sense of trust.

One woman said she was assaulted during her honeymoon, turning what should have been “one of the happiest weekends” of her life into a “haunting memory”.

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

Another survivor criticized the “relentless delays” in the legal process, saying 1,271 days had passed since the assault and that the prolonged proceedings had delayed healing and therapy.

Outside court, two victims urged women to trust their instincts.

“If it doesn’t feel right, it means it’s not right,” one of them said.

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

Voyeuristic disorder cited during hearing

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

Judge Matteo said the diagnosis offered a “clinically plausible explanation” for the offending, but stressed it did not absolve him of responsibility. The disorder remains untreated and cannot be addressed while he is in prison, the court was told.

Defense lawyer Adam Richards said Rastogi had asked him to repeat his apology before the 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 in prison, with a non-parole period of 10 years and 10 months. His sentence was backdated to July 2022, making him eligible for parole in 2035.

The court also heard he is likely to be deported from Australia after completing his sentence.