Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 17: Two teenage girls, aged 16 and 17, have been detained for the alleged murder of a 75-year-old man, whose body was found dumped in bushes near the Balepir Shah Dargah in Uttan, a month ago. The victim was accused of sexually abusing the younger girl, who worked at his shop.

The girls confessed that the victim attempted to sexually assault the 16-year-old, prompting them to attack him, which resulted in his death. The body was discovered on February 22 in a decomposed state, after a local resident alerted police to a foul odor.

Police investigation revealed that the deceased had been reported missing from Borivali on February 16. The investigation, including CCTV footage analysis, led to the apprehension of the 16-year-old, an employee at the victim's Naigaon shop, and her 17-year-old friend from Bhayander.

According to the girls' statements, the victim had been molesting the younger girl. On February 16, he allegedly took her in a rickshaw towards Uttan. Sensing his intentions, the girl contacted her friend and shared her live location via WhatsApp. The girls stated that the man took her to an isolated area near the dargah, where he allegedly attempted to sexually assault her. They then attacked him with a stone and disposed of his body in the nearby bushes.

Senior police inspector Shivaji Naik of Uttan police station confirmed the detention of the minors, who will be presented before the Child Welfare Committee.