50-year-old arrested for molesting minor girl in park

The police have arrested a 50-year-old man for allegedly molesting an eight-year-old girl in a public park on Monday morning. The incident occurred when the child’s mother left her in the park, while she went to buy clothes.

Taking advantage of the situation, the accused reportedly touched the girl inappropriately. A bystander, who witnessed the act, immediately alerted the police. An Emergency Response Vehicle team reached the spot promptly and apprehended the suspect from the MDC area.

By the time police arrived, the frightened child had fled the park. She was traced within a few hours at another location, while crying. Later, she narrated the ordeal to both her family and the police.

Although the victim’s mother initially refused to file a complaint, the police took suo motu cognisance of the crime considering gravity of the offence. Based on the evidence, a case under Section 8 of the POCSO Act was registered against accused and he was arrested the same day.

DCP Srishti Gupta confirmed that the man would be produced in a court on Tuesday. She said the victim underwent counselling with the help of a legal aid counsellor before being handed over to her family.

The DCP urged parents not to leave children unattended at unsafe places. She appealed to citizens to promptly report any suspicious activity to the police.