A serious case has emerged from the country's economic capital that has shaken the reputation of the police department and brought shame to the force, once again staining the police uniform. A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) rank officer has been arrested on charges of molestation and indecent behavior toward a nine-year-old minor girl in a public garden in Mumbai's Worli area. The Worli police took the 56-year-old accused into custody in the early hours of April 24, after which the court sent him to judicial custody. The Worli police have registered a case against the officer under the POCSO Act and are conducting further investigations.
According to the FIR registered at the Worli police station, the incident occurred on April 23 around 7:00 PM. The victim had gone to play at Singh Garden in Worli. It is alleged that the accused arrived there and engaged in indecent behavior in front of the girl, asking her to touch his private parts. The sudden nature of the incident terrified the girl, who informed her mother about the entire matter immediately upon returning home.
The mother, who works as a domestic helper, contacted the police without delay. Upon receiving the complaint, a team from the Worli police reached the spot and began an investigation. Based on preliminary inquiries and available facts, the police officer was identified and arrested within a few hours.
The Worli police have booked the accused under Sections 74 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 12 of the POCSO Act. These sections pertain to the sexual harassment of minors and related offenses.
A senior police official stated that the allegations are extremely serious, leading to the swift arrest and an investigation proceeding under full legal protocols. However, a major challenge facing the police is the lack of CCTV cameras in Singh Garden, meaning direct visual evidence is unavailable. Currently, efforts are being made to strengthen the case through the statements of children, circumstantial evidence, and other documentary bases. The police have recorded the statements of two minors as per legal procedures. Sources indicate that the medical report is now awaited, which will determine the future course of action and the direction of the investigation.
The accused was posted at the Director General of Police office in Mumbai within the Police Communication and IT department and was residing alone in the Worli police camp. This case raises serious questions regarding accountability, discipline, and the monitoring systems for officers deployed in sensitive positions within the police department. Officials maintain that the matter is being investigated from every possible angle.