Mumbai Courier Boy Arrested for Stalking Minor Schoolgirl for Three Months
In a disturbing case from Mumbai, a courier delivery boy was arrested by the Goregaon police on Tuesday for allegedly stalking and harassing a minor schoolgirl over a prolonged period of three months. The accused, identified as 28-year-old Chandan Paswan, reportedly made inappropriate comments and issued threats to the 14-year-old victim, creating a climate of fear.
Victim's Complaint and Police Action
The 14-year-old victim, who studies at a school in Goregaon (West), approached the police station with her parents on March 27. She detailed how the courier boy had been stalking her since Christmas, following her from her residence to the school. According to the complaint, he persistently urged her to engage in conversation and threatened to harm her if she ignored his advances.
Following the registration of a First Information Report (FIR), a dedicated police team from Goregaon, under the supervision of Senior Inspector Suryakant Kharat, launched an intensive investigation. The team reviewed CCTV footage around the school premises and interviewed school staff to gather evidence.
Challenging Investigation and Breakthrough
Initial footage showed images of the courier boy on his motorcycle outside the school gate, but the vehicle's number plate was unclear, complicating identification. Undeterred, the police meticulously examined footage from approximately 70 cameras along the route taken by the motorcycle.
A crucial breakthrough came when investigators identified a residential society where the courier boy had made a delivery to the fifth floor. By visiting the house owner, the police obtained the suspect's phone number, leading to his identification as Chandan Paswan.
Further inquiries with the telecom service provider revealed Paswan's registered address. However, it was discovered that he had previously worked in housekeeping at that location and no longer resided there. Police also contacted a food delivery app for which he had worked, only to find he had quit that job as well.
Tracking and Arrest
For two days, police teams continuously tracked Paswan's location, which kept changing due to his courier work, making the task particularly challenging. On March 30, investigators successfully traced his current employer to a quick delivery service.
The employer informed the police that Paswan was delivering an order from Goregaon East to Bandra. Acting swiftly, the police set up a trap in Bandra and apprehended him early on Tuesday, bringing an end to the intensive manhunt.
This case highlights the persistent efforts of law enforcement in addressing crimes against minors and the complexities involved in tracking individuals with mobile occupations.
