Havildar arrested for molesting teenager in southwest Delhi

NEW DELHI: A 43-year-old army havildar was arrested on Saturday for allegedly molesting a 16-year-old girl in Delhi Cantonment in southwest Delhi. The crime took place almost a month ago but was reported to the police on Friday.

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The accused, Vijender Kumar, is married and lives with his family.

He was booked under section 354A (physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures) of IPC and other relevant sections of protection of children from sexual offences (POCSO) Act. Kumar was produced before a city court that sent him to Tihar jail, said police.

The girl in her complaint told police that on August 25, she went to see off her male friend at a nearby bus stop where Kumar saw her.

He allegedly threatened her saying he would tell her parents about the boy. The girl ignored him and left for home while Kumar allegedly followed her, said a police officer.

In her complaint, the girl alleged that she was about to reach home when Kumar first put his hand on her head and then touched her shoulder. Soon, he allegedly started touching her indecently and thus outraged her modesty. “We registered an FIR and arrested Kumar,” the officer added.