Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 5: An alleged serial molester on Mira Road has been arrested by the Local Crime Branch of the Thane Rural Police. He has been arrested for molesting a woman and a minor girl.

As per the police records, an 11-year-old girl registered a complaint with the Naya Nagar police station on April 14. In her complaint she said that the accused allegedly flashed his private parts at her on her way home after visiting a nearby stationery shop. He victim informed her father and mother, and they approached the police.

Another complaint was registered with the Naya Nagar police on April 15, in which it is stated that a 22-year-old girl was also targeted in a similar fashion by the accused at 11 p.m. when she was on her way home from work.

One senior police official said, “We scanned CCTV camera footage of the area where both the offences took place and spotted the accused. Since both the offences had occurred in Naya Nagar, we started going door to door in the area, showing his picture to residents and shopkeepers, till a shop owner recognised him as Mehfooz Sheikh (21), a Mira road resident who did odd jobs like painting window grilles and selling garments, for a living. He directed the police to Sheikh’s employer, who told them Sheikh had gone to his home town, Lucknow, for a few days.”

On Friday, the Kashimira police were informed that Sheikh had returned to his residence, after which he was picked up. “We have handed the accused over to the Naya Nagar police,” Vyankat Andhale, senior police inspector, Local Crime Branch, said.