Washim: Karanja grocer booked under POCSO for three years of abuse of minor, now pregnant; accused absconding

A 45-year-old grocery shop owner in Karanja town of Washim district has been booked for allegedly sexually exploiting a minor girl he knew, by threatening her, for about three years. The matter came to light only when the girl became pregnant, police said.

Police identified the accused as Praful Sakharkar, 45, a resident of Karanja who runs a grocery shop. Taking advantage of his acquaintance with the family, he allegedly kept a recording of a phone call of the minor girl.

He allegedly kept threatening to make the recording public and play it to her relatives. On the strength of this threat, he allegedly sexually exploited the girl repeatedly from April 2023 to June 2026, nearly three years. The continued abuse left the minor pregnant.

The family was badly shaken when they learned of it. They went straight to Karanja police station and filed a complaint against the accused.

On the victim's complaint, Karanja police have registered a case against Sakharkar under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and serious sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused is currently absconding.

Police said the accused fled the town as soon as he learned that a case had been registered. Lata Phad, the officer in charge of the Washim Superintendent of Police's post, has taken the matter very seriously and has sent out special police teams to catch him. Karanja police are investigating the case further.