Mumbai: Mentally-challenged minor gang-raped, locals protest

A 14-year-old mentally challenged girl living in a slum at Ghatkopar (East) was allegedly gang-raped by two people several times over the past few months.

A 14-year-old mentally challenged girl living in a slum at Ghatkopar (East) was allegedly gang-raped by two people several times over the past few months.

The Pant Nagar police have arrested a 20-year-old, whose role is under investigation, and are on the lookout for others.

The incident sparked outrage in the area and hundreds of members from the girls’ community gathered at the Pant Nagar police station on Sunday, demanding strict action against the accused.

The assault came to light recently when the teachers at her school noticed changes in her behaviour. “The teachers called her parents to the school and asked them to speak to her. She then told them about her ordeal,” said Vinay Rathod, deputy commissioner of police, Zone 7.

The girl’s parents, who sell vegetables in the area, approached the Pant Nagar police and a case was registered.

Based on the description given by the survivor, the 20-year-old has been arrested. He claims to be small-time dancer in Bollywood movies.

Though the girl says he is not her attacker, the police will keep him in custody to get leads in the case. “We have arrested one person, who has given us some information on the men who allegedly raped the girl,” said Rathod.

Investigations revealed the girl was raped in a public toilet and at secluded places in the locality, and was even subjected to unnatural sex, the police said.