In two separate incidents on Monday, a 10-year-old girl and a 17-year-old college student were groped at Kurla and Dadar railway stations in Mumbai. The Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested the accused within 24 hours and produced them before a sessions court.
Incident at Kurla Station
The first incident occurred around 3 pm at Kurla station. The 10-year-old victim was playing alone on the staircase of a foot overbridge while her mother and aunts waited on the platform nearby. The family had started their train journey from Navi Mumbai and needed to change trains at Kurla to head to Mumbra station.
According to police, the accused approached the child and sexually harassed her. The girl screamed and ran to her mother. When the accused attempted to flee up the stairs, the mother realized what had happened and chased him. Passersby joined the pursuit and apprehended the man. He was beaten before being handed over to the police.
The accused was identified as Mujibul Khalil Shaikh, 50, a resident of Ghatkopar originally from Odisha, who works odd jobs. He was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Incident at Dadar Station
In a separate case, a 17-year-old college student was groped at Dadar station around 8:45 am. Police said the girl was waiting on platform number 1 near gate number 3 during the morning rush hour. The accused, who was under the influence of alcohol, approached her and touched her inappropriately. The girl was shocked and unable to react. By the time she called her mother, the man had left.
The victim then approached the Mumbai Central GRP police post and filed a complaint. Police reviewed CCTV footage from the station and identified the suspect. They tracked him down within 24 hours and arrested him. The accused was identified as Mohammad Firoz Khan, 26, and was also booked under the POCSO Act.
Swift Police Action
In both cases, the GRP acted swiftly, making arrests within a day. The accused have been produced before a sessions court. The incidents highlight the vulnerability of women and children in public spaces and the importance of prompt law enforcement response.
