Two separate cases of sexual assault involving 16-year-old girls have surfaced in Dombivli, with both incidents coming to light only after the victims became pregnant.
The back-to-back cases have triggered concern across the twin cities of Kalyan and Dombivli over the safety of young girls. Police have arrested both accused and launched further investigations.
Videographer Arrested In Ramnagar Case
The first case was registered under the jurisdiction of the Ramnagar Police Station.
Police identified the accused as 24-year-old Shubham Saroj, a videographer and video editor. Authorities said the victim’s family approached the police after discovering that the minor girl was pregnant.
Saroj was arrested soon after the complaint was filed on Saturday evening.
According to investigators, the accused and the victim had known each other for nearly two years and attended the same coaching classes.
“The accused and the victim knew each other through coaching classes. He exploited this familiarity to trap and repeatedly assault her,” said Senior Police Inspector Ganesh Juwadwad of Ramnagar Police Station.
Second Accused Tracked To Uttar Pradesh
In the second case, registered at the Manpada Police Station, police arrested 23-year-old Kaju Nishad for allegedly sexually assaulting another 16-year-old girl.
Police said Nishad fled Maharashtra after the incident and hid in his village in Uttar Pradesh.
The case surfaced a week ago when the victim’s family noticed physical changes and later discovered that she was pregnant.
Using technical surveillance and local intelligence, police tracked Nishad to his hideout in Uttar Pradesh and brought him back to Dombivli.
“He was arrested, brought back to Dombivli, and has been remanded to police custody,” a senior police officer said.
Cases Registered Under BNS And POCSO
Both accused have been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
Saroj was produced before a Kalyan court, which remanded him to police custody until May 21.
Police said investigations are continuing in both cases.
The identities of the victims have not been disclosed in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines protecting survivors of sexual assault.
