3 separate molestation cases registered in Mumbai over weekend, all 4 accused arrested
While all four accused were promptly arrested by officials, the incidents raise serious questions about the sorry state of women’s safety in the metropolitan (Inset: Sandeep Kumbharkar, who was arrested for flashing a woman at an ATM in Mulund)
Three separate cases of molestation were registered in Mulund, Worli, and Kurla areas over the weekend, raising serious concerns about the issue of women’s safety in the metropolitan.
Police have nabbed all four men responsible for the acts.
Case 1 – Man arrested for flashing 23-year-old at ATM kiosk in Mulund
Police arrested a 38-year-old club employee who allegedly flashed a woman inside an ATM in Mulund under the pretext of helping her.
According to officials, the woman entered the ATM at Hari Om Nagar Road around 2:30 am on Sunday to withdraw cash to pay her rickshaw driver.
When the man saw that she was facing some problem with the withdrawal, he offered to pay the driver. When she refused, he tried to touch the woman inappropriately under the pretext of helping her withdraw the money.
The accused, later identified as Sandeep Kumbharkar, also flashed the woman. While the victim was taken aback initially, she soon regained her composure and started recording the act on her phone.
Sensing trouble, Kumbharkar tried to flee the spot. However, the 23-year-old sought help from a nearby patrol van. After she showed them the video, officials alerted the control room and chased after him.
He was later arrested by Navghar police and booked under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and others.
The Kopri-resident will be produced before the court today. The complainant, meanwhile, took to Twitter to share the video of the incident and thank Mumbai Police for the prompt action.
Case 2 – Duo arrested for molesting woman cyclist near Haji Ali
Tardeo police arrested two men on Sunday for allegedly molesting a woman cyclist at Mumbai’s Worli area.
According to officials, the incident took place during the wee hours of Saturday when the woman was on her way to Haji Ali. The accused, who were travelling on a bike, touched the cyclist inappropriately and even went ahead smiling at her.
The woman later filed a complaint at Tardeo police station against the two men, following which an offence under section 354, 34 of Indian Penal Code was registered.
The arrested accused were identified as Sheldon Alfred Fernandes (20) and his aide Rahul Desai (24). Police also recovered the motorcycle that had been used in the crime.
Case 3 – Constable arrested for flashing woman constable in Kurla
Police arrested a constable who allegedly flashed a woman constable at the police staff quarters in Kurla (East) on Saturday night.
According to officials, the woman was standing in the balcony around 11 pm on Saturday when the accused, who lived in the opposite building, stripped in front of her.
The female constable immediately called up the police control room and later lodged a complaint against the accused, Harishchandra Bhika Lahane (41).
A case of outraging the modesty of woman was later registered against Lahane at Nehru Nagar police station. A departmental inquiry has also been ordered.
Constable Lahane, posted at the Pant Nagar police station, had reportedly skipped work for the last three days.
