Mumbai: Man held for raping 16-year-old for a month

A 35-year-old man who allegedly repeatedly raped a 16-year-old girl at his residence at MIDC, Andheri (East) for a month was arrested recently. The MIDC police have also arrested a woman, who helped him keep the minor confined to their house.

According to the police, the man lived with the woman at Poonam Nagar. The minor belongs to a poor family in New Delhi. “The woman got to know of the minor through her relative in Delhi. The duo went to Delhi in May and got the minor to the city on the pretext of a well-paying job,” said R Mandage, senior inspector, MIDC police station.

The man allegedly raped the girl on several occasions and did not allow her to come out of their flat. The woman tried to force her into prostitution. “After putting up with it for a month, the girl once managed to come out of her flat and told her neighbours about her ordeal. They then called the children’s helpline, who then approached the police,” said Mandage.

“The accused was arrested for confinement, rape, assault and POCSO. The duo has been remanded in police custody till June 29,” said Mandage.

The minor was rescued and handed over to her family.