Mumbai: In a tragic incident in Goregaon, Mumbai, a 51-year-old security guard was arrested for molesting a nine-year-old girl whom he lured to a building’s terrace under the guise of showing her pigeons. The incident occurred on March 7 but came to light a week later when the girl abruptly refused to attend her tuition classes at the same building.
Upon inquiry from her mother, the girl recounted her experience and expressed her fears about a possible repeat of the incident. The mother reported the incident to the police on March 12, prompting an immediate investigation, including a medical examination of the child.
The Goregaon police charged the guard with molestation and violations of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. His arrest followed a review of CCTV footage and a careful identification procedure to ensure that the victim did not come into contact with the accused.
This incident highlights a concerning trend, with statistics indicating that Mumbai Police handle an average of six cases of child sexual abuse daily. In the first 11 months of 2023 alone, there were 1,005 reported cases of molestation and abuse recorded under the POCSO Act.
The situation has revived memories of a previous case involving a school employee in Thane, who was arrested for sexually assaulting two minor girls before being fatally shot during an attempt to escape police custody.