Powai Case: Police Nab Six Men Within 24 Hours of Complaint

Police in Mumbai have arrested all six men accused of gang-raping a minor girl in Powai, within 24 hours of the victim filing her complaint, according to officials who spoke on Saturday.

The case involves a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly assaulted by six people between October 27 and October 28. Officials said the swift action followed raids carried out by police teams at several locations.

None of the arrested persons has a prior criminal history, the officials added.

According to a statement from the officials, the main accused and four others allegedly took the girl to a deserted place behind a bakery on Saki Vihar Road, where she was sexually abused. The accused then allegedly warned her that her photographs would be posted online if she revealed the incident to police or to her family.

Officials also said that in a separate incident, another accused stopped the girl near a pipeline in Powai and molested her, subjecting her to sexual harassment.

After the shocking events, the girl, supported by her family, approached the Powai Police Station on October 29 morning and described what had happened to her.

Police said that an FIR was registered at once under Sections 64(1) and 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), keeping in view the seriousness of the case. Charges have also been levelled under Sections 4, 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act.

The girl has been referred to KEM Hospital in Mumbai for medical examination. Officials said the investigation is being conducted thoroughly under the oversight of senior police officers.