Maharashtra: Nine held after woman tourist allegedly molested at Bhavali Dam in Igatpuri

Representational image. File pic

Two days after a woman tourist was allegedly molested and her family members were attacked by a group of hooligans at Bhavali Dam in Maharashtra's Igatpuri, the police on Tuesday said that it has arrested nine persons in connection with the matter.

As per the complaint filed by the 44-year-old woman, she, along with her husband, son, daughter, a brother-in-law, and two nephews were visiting a waterfall near the dam on Sunday when two youths whistled at her and started harassing her, according to PTI.

The complaint filed by the victim in Igatpuri said, "When her family members intervened, the miscreants allegedly assaulted them, tore the woman's clothes, and snatched away her mobile phone. When her husband tried to take back the mobile phone, they snatched away the 20-gram gold chain he was wearing and beat him up," as per PTI.

Further, as they left the spot, the miscreants chased their SUV in a car and on a motorcycle, overtook it, and blocked their way. Around 8-9 persons, carrying sticks, iron rods, and baseball bats, got out of the car, broke the windshield, and forced the woman to come out, the complaint said.

Nine accused arrested

The miscreants allegedly molested her, and one of them swung a baseball bat at her head, but she dodged the blow, the woman said. After managing to leave the spot, the family rushed to a police station and submitted a video of the incident to police.

Soon after registering the complaint, a police official said that a case was registered at the Igatpuri police station and nine men were arrested on Tuesday, as per PTI.

Nashik Rural Superintendent of Police Dr. D.S. Swami, while briefing about the incident, said, "A case of molestation, attempt to murder, and dacoity has been registered. All the arrested persons are from Girnare, Nandgaon Sado, and Manikkhamb villages and other nearby areas. Some other 6-7 miscreants have also been identified from the video footage. Bhoir, one of the accused, had a murder case registered against him in 2020-21," as cited by PTI.

Police officials further added that the investigation into the case is still underway.

(With inputs from PTI)