Police search for 27-year-old man accused of raping a minor; case registered under POCSO Act

Mumbai: The APMC police are looking for a 27-year-old man who raped a minor girl, forcibly took photos of her and then uploaded them on Instagram. According to police, although the incident took place in February, the complainant approached the police only now after he uploaded the photos of her.

The accused, Rajesh Patel (27), a resident of Turbhe, had barged into the house of a 16-year-old girl living in the same locality when her parents were away for work. The girl, who is studying in high school, was alone when he entered the house and forced himself on her. The accused not only raped her but also took photographs of her and threatened her with dire consequences if she told anyone about the incident.

Fearing his threats, she did not tell anyone about the incident until now he opened an Instagram account in the victim’s name and then uploaded nude pictures of her. One of the victim’s relatives noticed the profile and photo and informed her family about it and then she told about the incident.

The girl and her parents approached the APMC police on Sunday and registered a complaint against Patel. “Patel is currently on the run and we have removed the photo he uploaded. We are trying to trace him and investigation is on to find out if he has done something similar with any other girl from the same area,” said a police officer at the APMC police station.

Patel was booked under sections 376(3) for rape of a girl below 16 years of age and 506 for criminal intimidation of the IPC and under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

Published on: Tuesday, July 9, 2024, 23:03 IST