Ganesh Kendale
MUMBAI: Two Vasai traffic cops, a Central Industrial Safety Force (CISF) jawan, and a State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) personnel and two govt employees were arrested for allegedly molesting and a bducting an 18-yearold nursing student from Devgad taluka in Sindhudurg district when she was returning home from college on Tuesday.
On Thursday, MiraBhayander Vasai-Virar Commissionerate suspended Vasai traffic constables Hariram Githe (34) and Praveen Ranade (33) for dereliction of duty and tarnishing the public image of the police force.
Police said Hariram, Praveen, Madhav Kendre (32), Shyam Githe (32), Satva Kendre (32), and Shankar Githe (33), who were heading to Goa in an SUV hired from Vasai, were drunk at the time of the incident. The SUV has been seized and the six men have undergone medical tests to determine the alcohol content in their blood, said a source.
The six men, who were not in uniform, had taken leave. According to the teenager’s complaint, around 5.30pm, Hariram stopped the SUV near the bus depot in Jamsande village and ap proached her on the pretext of asking for an address. Despite the girl’s attempts to walk away, Hariram followed her and made obscene remarks, suggesting that she accompany him to Vasai.
The situation escalated when the other five men stepped out of the SUV, and one of them allegedly told the others to put her into the vehicle. They grabbed her hand and began dragging her towards the SUV. The teen raised an alarm, attracting the attention of passersby, who gheroed the SUV and beat up the men. The accused were made to squat on the road before being taken to the police station.
