Six arrested in Powai for alleged sexual assault of 15-year-old girl

Powai police in Mumbai have arrested six men accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl at several places in Powai and Andheri East. The incidents allegedly took place between October 27 and October 28.

According to Mumbai Police, the arrests were made on October 29, the same day the minor filed her complaint early in the morning. Police teams began investigating as soon as the complaint was received, and all six accused were picked up from their respective homes.

Police sources said the girl alleges that the main accused, aged 22, took her along with four other men to an open plot behind John Baker on Saki Vihar Road in Powai. The four are aged 20, 22, 23 and 23. She alleges she was sexually assaulted there against her will.

According to police sources, the accused also allegedly threatened the girl that her pictures would be circulated publicly if she told anyone about it.

A separate incident linked to the case has also come to light. Another accused, aged 19, is alleged to have sexually assaulted the girl near a pipeline in Powai.

On the basis of the complaint, police have registered an FIR under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These include Section 64(1), which deals with punishment for rape, and Section 74, which concerns assault or use of criminal force with intent to outrage the modesty of a woman.

The case has also been registered under Sections 4, 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. These sections relate to penetrative sexual assault, sexual assault and sexual harassment respectively.

All six accused were arrested on October 29. Police sources said none of them has a previous criminal record.

The girl was taken to KEM Hospital for a medical examination. According to a police source, the investigation is being conducted under the supervision of senior police officers, and further questioning is continuing.