A newly-recruited constable has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 13-year-old Class-8 girl at Kharwa mohalla in Ambala City on Tuesday, while his 'accomplice', another under-training constable, managed to escape.
Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Ashok Kumar said the constables, identified as Sunil Kumar and Amit Kumar, have been booked under Sections 354 (assault to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 442 (house trespass) of the IPC. Sunil was produced before the duty magistrate and was sent in 14-day judicial custody.

The DCP said the duo was undergoing training at the Haryana Armed Police (HAP) sub-battalion.

Locals said the suspects were friends with some students of a polytechnic institute who were staying in the area as paying guests, while the victim was also living in the same neighbourhood.

They added that the suspects who had come to visit their friends asked the girl for an adhesive, which, they said, was required to paste a picture. When the victim went to give them adhesive, the two allegedly tried to outrage her modesty.

Residents said the girl resisted their attempt and carefully redialled the last dialled number on her phone, which was of her mother. The latter raised an alarm and people gathered at the spot in large numbers.

Sources said residents beat up Sunil and later handed him over to police while Amit managed to escape during the melee.

Station house officer Ram Niwas reached the spot later. Sources said the victim had reportedly told to police that it was Sunil who had attempted to molest her and that Amit had done nothing.