The routine of three minors was marred by his continuous stalking and harassment
The courageous mother managed to catch Prajapati within the locality. Representation pic
The Kurar police have arrested a 32-year-old man named Prajapati on charges of molesting three minor school-going girls in Kurar in Malad. The incident came to light when an 11-year-old girl resorted to self-harm using a cutter within her school premises. Concerned about the girl's well-being, her teacher questioned her, leading the young girl to reveal the horrifying ordeal she and her friends had been enduring at the hands of the accused. The teacher immediately alerted the parents of the three minors, playing a crucial role in bringing this case to the attention of the authorities.
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Following the disclosure, an FIR was lodged on Wednesday, July 19, with one of the victim's mothers as the complainant. With prompt action and the support of local residents, the courageous mother managed to apprehend Prajapati within the locality and handed him over to the police on July 20. He now faces charges under Section 354D of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The victims, aged between 11 and 12 years, attend secondary school and receive private tutoring. Their daily routine was marred by the continuous stalking and harassment perpetrated by Prajapati. Investigating officer Kailash Pawar stated, “The accused always followed these girls while they were walking on the road. He used to touch their hair and body on the pretext of giving them food and money. Since June 2023, the girls have been suffering due to this.” One of the victims' mothers provided a harrowing account to the police, narrating how Prajapati relentlessly stalked her daughter and her two friends as they made their way between school and the tuition class.