Mumbai police arrest scrap dealer for allegedly molesting French tourist in Khar

25-year-old scrap dealer Sunil Vishnu Waghela. PIC VIA SHIRISH VAKTANIA

The Khar police have arrested 25-year-old scrap dealer Sunil Vishnu Waghela for allegedly molesting a 27-year-old French tourist in Khar West. The incident occurred between 12:20 am and 12:25 am on November 8, as the woman was walking alone towards her hotel.

The victim, who had arrived in India just last week, was initially too scared to report the incident. A few days later, she confided in her friends, who immediately approached the police.

Sunil was arrested from his Dharavi residence late Saturday night and is now in police custody. Pic/Shirish Vaktania

A police officer said, "The accused followed the woman for a few metres, stopped his bike, approached her, and touched her chest inappropriately before fleeing."

An FIR was registered on November 14 under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

To trace the suspect, Khar police formed a team under Senior Inspector Sanjeev Dhumal. While the exact spot of the incident lacked CCTV coverage, footage from 100 metres away helped identify Waghela. He was arrested from his Dharavi residence late Saturday night and is now in police custody.