Maharashtra: In Ulhasnagar, one minor molested, other raped

In two separate incidents, two minor girls were raped and molested in Vithalwadi. The cases were registered in Vithalwadi Police Station on Wednesday and while the accused in the molestation case has been arrested, the one in rape case is still absconding.

On May 23, around 3.30 pm, an 8-year-old girl had gone to her neighbour's house in Ulhasnagar-4. Her 40-year-old neighbour, Bhausaheb Vishwanath Nikalje, gave the girl his mobile phone to play games. While the minor was playing on the phone, Nikalje touched her inappropriately. The scared girl ran home and narrated the incident to her mother who then approached the Vithalwadi Police. The cops registered a case against Nikalje under Section 354 (molestation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act and arrested him on Wednesday evening.

"He was produced in Kalyan court on Thursday and have been remanded to police custody till May 29," said S Velke, Investigating Officer, Vithalwadi Police Station.

In another incident, a 9-year-old girl was raped by a family friend on May 15. The incident happened between 2.15-5 pm when the girl was alone at home. The girl's mother had gone to Ulhasnagar for some work when the accused, Akash Dagdu Bharti, 29, entered the house. He took the girl to his house and then raped her.

"He threatened to kill her if she told anyone," said B Salunkhe, Investigating Officer, Vithalwadi Police Station. The girl finally confided about the incident to her parents on May 23. The police lodged a case against Bharti based on what the parents told them. "He is absconding and we have launched a manhunt for him. He will be arrested soon," Salunkhe said.