A 15-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted two months after being confined in a room, leading to the arrest of four suspects involved in her rescue.
The police stated that the incident occurred in Dombivli, under the jurisdiction of the Tilak Nagar police station. The victim lived with her mother and two younger brothers, while her mother worked in a local canteen.
The accused, Ashutosh Rajput, who ran a spice business, frequently visited the victim's canteen as a supplier and was acquainted with the family.
The victim and her mother had quarreled over minor issues, prompting the girl to leave home. She later went with Rajput, who allegedly sexually assaulted her. When the victim did not return, her mother began searching for her. Rajput deliberately misled her, claiming he had seen the girl in the city.
After two months with no sign of her daughter, the mother grew suspicious of Rajput and filed a police complaint on May 14.
The police acted swiftly, gathering information about a girl being held captive in a room. A team was formed, leading to a raid on May 20 where the girl was rescued, and a woman was arrested. During interrogation, she revealed three more accomplices, who were arrested on May 21.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Rajput had allegedly abducted the girl, held her captive for two months, sexually assaulted her, and later forced her into prostitution. A manhunt has been launched for Rajput.
An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA).
ACP Suhas Hemade of the Dombivli division confirmed that the accused have been apprehended, produced in court, and remanded in police custody until May 26 for further investigation.
