Two held for kidnapping minor, forcing him to beg in trains

According to police, the accused and the family lived in the same locality in the eastern suburbs, and the boy was known to them. The mother grew suspicious of her son’s behaviour because he had allegedly changed his manner of walking and she had earlier sent him to their native place in Uttar Pradesh

MUMBAI: Two 30-year-old transgender persons have been arrested on Thursday for allegedly kidnapping a 17-year-old boy, forcing him to beg in local trains and exploiting him for money.

Two held for kidnapping minor, forcing him to beg in trains

The arrests were made by the East Region police after a complaint by the boy’s mother, who alleged that her son had been taken away and coerced into changing his appearance and activities.

According to police, the accused and the family lived in the same locality in the eastern suburbs, and the boy was known to them. The mother grew suspicious of her son’s behaviour because he had allegedly changed his manner of walking and she had earlier sent him to their native place in Uttar Pradesh.

Police said the accused allegedly traced the boy there, brought him back to Mumbai, forced him to dress differently, beg in trains, convince customers to have unnatural intercourse, and took the money earned.

“When the mother visited the accused’s house, she found her son dressed in different attire. We suspect he may have been maimed and have sent him for medical examination,” an officer said.

A case has been registered under sections 139 (kidnapping or maiming a child for the purpose of begging), 142 (wrongful confinement), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with sections 4 (penetrative sexual assault), 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault), 8 (sexual assault), 12 (sexual harrasment of a child) and 17 (abetment) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and The Transgenders Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

“Our investigations are at a very primary stage and things will become clear soon as we receive the medical reports of the minor,” said a police officer.