Navi Mumbai: In a swift operation, the Rabale police have apprehended a youth accused of molesting young women while they were riding scooters in the Airoli node. The suspect, identified as Krishna Kanojia, was arrested from a slum pocket in Kalwa (East), Thane, located on the outskirts of the Airoli MIDC area.
Incident and Complaints
On May 27, two separate complaints were lodged by women who were targeted by the molester. The first complaint was filed by a 22-year-old woman, who stated that on May 26, around 4:30 pm, she was riding her scooter to her friend's house in Airoli. As she reached the rear gate of Celebration Society in Sector 6, Airoli, the accused, who had been following her on his scooter, suddenly approached from behind and grabbed her lower back. The victim raised an alarm, prompting the assailant to flee the scene. Initially hesitant due to fear, she later informed her parents, who accompanied her to the police station to register an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for stalking and using criminal force with intent to outrage modesty.
The second complaint was filed on the same day by another woman from Airoli, who reported a similar incident involving the same accused on a scooter. Consequently, another FIR was registered under similar BNS sections.
Investigation and Arrest
API Avinash Palde of the Rabale detection branch stated that taking the repeated incidents seriously, a special team was formed to trace the accused. Through meticulous examination of CCTV camera footage from the streets, the police tracked the suspect within 12 hours and arrested him from the slum pocket where he resides. During interrogation, Kanojia confessed to targeting multiple women on moving scooters in the Airoli area.
Legal Proceedings
On May 29, Kanojia was produced before the Belapur district sessions court, which remanded him to police custody for two days, until Sunday. The police are continuing their investigation to determine if there are any other victims or similar incidents.
This case highlights the importance of swift police action and the use of surveillance technology in ensuring women's safety in public spaces.
