Mumbai: Auto driver arrested for allegedly molesting 17-year-old in moving vehicle in Malad West

The complainant and her friend registered a case at Malad police station after the former received treatment for her injuries. Representation Pic/iStock

An auto driver has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 17-year-old college student in his vehicle while it was in motion, causing her to jump out, injuring herself. The incident took place in Malad West on Monday. Under the guidance of Zone XI DCP Sandeep Jadhav, ACP Parkash Bagal, Goregaon division, and Senior Inspector Dushyant Chauhan began the investigation with the help of API Deepak Raiwade, along with PSI Tushar Sukhdev and other detection officers.

"We scanned and examined CCTV footage from the Milap petrol pump route. Through the autorickshaw number, we found an address and a mobile number, but later found that the former was false and the latter was registered in an acquaintance's name," said an officer from Malad police station. Police then checked the route further and learnt from a rickshaw union that the accused was residing in Laljipada, Kandivli West. "However, he had no home as such and lived and slept inside his auto," said an officer.

Following surveillance in Laljipada, the accused was detained on Tuesday evening. He was identified as Keshav Prasad Yadav, 54, originally from Ghazipur district, Uttar Pradesh. Yadav was booked and arrested under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 12 of the POCSO Act, which deals with sexual harassment of a child. He was produced before the court on Tuesday and remanded in police custody.

The assault and escape

>> According to the teen, she hailed an auto from SV Road, Malad West, at 4.15 pm on Monday. The driver could reach her destination by taking a right turn from the Marve signal, but he took a U-turn and went towards Shankar Lane via the Milap petrol pump route.

>> The auto driver allegedly asked the girl, who was seated at one side, to sit in the centre and started staring at her through the rear-view mirror while making obscene gestures.

>> She then told him to stop the auto, but instead of complying, he pulled down a side curtain and, while the vehicle was still moving, reached behind him and touched her inappropriately.

>> The teen told him to stop again, but the driver allegedly increased the speed of the auto.

>> Around 4.18 pm, the girl jumped from the moving auto and rolled on the road for some distance.

>> Passers-by helped the injured teen get up, and she also called her friend for help.

>> The friend arrived and took her home. They later went to Shatabdi Hospital, where she received treatment for her injuries. After this, they went to the police station and registered a case.

Steps to take

Senior inspector Dushyant Chauhan of Malad police station said the moment women sense they are in such a situation, they must dial the special women's helpline number, 103, or the Mumbai Police helpline number 100.