Watchman arrested after he molests woman in lift in Mumbai

The Amboli police have arrested a 36-year-old watchman of a posh housing society in Jogeshwari (West) for allegedly molesting a 23-year-old woman on Thursday evening.

The Amboli police have arrested a 36-year-old watchman of a posh housing society in Jogeshwari (West) for allegedly molesting a 23-year-old woman on Thursday evening.

The accused has been denied bail; the police are now investigating to see if he has prior criminal record. (Picture for representation)

According to the Amboli police, the incident took place around 5.30pm while the victim, a student, was using the lift. The accused, who was also in the lift, allegedly touched her inappropriately and tried to restrain her.

The woman raised an alarm, after which someone alerted the police. The accused was brought to the police station the same day, and arrested. A FIR was registered against him under section 354 (criminal force on a woman outraging her modesty) and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code.

Senior police inspector, Bharat Gaikwad, of Amboli police station confirmed the development. The watchman has been working in the housing society for the past several days. The officials refused to divulge name of the accused.

A police official from Amboli police, investigating the case, said, “The accused was produced before a magistrate court and has been remanded to judicial custody. He has been denied bail. We are probing further if he has a prior criminal record.”