A 36-year-old man was taken into custody for allegedly molesting seven minor schoolgirls, aged between 14 and 15 years, in Malvani, Malad, Mumbai. The accused enticed the girls by offering to take them for a drive but instead molested them on a public road.
The police promptly responded by filing a case under molestation sections and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, leading to the swift apprehension of the accused. One of the victims, a 14-year-old girl from Santacruz studying in Malvani, was targeted along with her classmates near the school premises by the perpetrator.
The accused, after committing the act, instructed the girls to meet him regularly at the same location and promised to take them for drives in his car. The girls, alarmed by the situation, raised awareness among local residents, leading to his arrest. Following the victim’s mother’s statement, the police formally charged the accused.
Malvani Police, after registering the case under the POCSO Act and relevant sections, detained the accused, who was later arrested and presented before the Dindoshi court for further investigation. Authorities are exploring the possibility of the accused’s involvement in prior similar incidents, with Mumbai Police ensuring stringent action due to the severity of the crime and the victims’ age, emphasizing the ongoing investigation.
The incident has instilled fear in the area, prompting authorities to address the situation with the arrest.
