16-year-old arrested for raping teen girl in central Mumbai, threatening to circulate morphed images

A 16-year-old boy reportedly stalked her, threatened to share morphed images if she spoke out, and assaulted her at an isolated location with help from a friend

A 16-year-old boy was detained for raping a 13-year-old girl at an isolated location in Central Mumbai and threatened to circulate morphed pictures of her on social media if she disclosed the incident, police said.

16-year-old boy detained for raping 13-year-old girl

The incident allegedly took place around 7am on June 18, when the teenager, who police said had been stalking the girl, forced and took her on his bike to an isolated spot. A friend of the accused allegedly helped him there to tie the girl to a tree before leaving the two alone, following which the boy sexually assaulted her, police said.

The incident came to light this week when the victim’s mother noticed that she appeared disturbed. After questioning her, and assuring her that she could speak freely, the girl told her family about the alleged rape.

Police register rape, POCSO case

The family then approached the police, following which a case was registered under sections 64 (rape), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 351 (criminal intimidation) under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and under various sections of the POCSO.

The police said the minor boy was detained and produced before CWC. “We are tracing the other accused and finding his exact role,” an officer said.