Auto-rickshaw driver arrested for allegedly harassing minor in Kolkata.
Times of India | 25 March 2025
123 Kolkata: An auto-rickshaw driver was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a 15-year-old girl in the Thakurpukur area a week ago. The incident happened on the evening of March 18 along Diamond Harbor Road between Silpara Crossing and Thakurpukur Bazar.
The accused was apprehended following an intensive probe that involved CCTV footage analysis and creation of a portrait parle. Local intelligence networks were crucial in identifying and locating the suspect, cops said.
According to the complaint filed by her mother at Thakurpukur PS, the incident took place between 8.45 pm and 9 pm when the minor was travelling in the auto-rickshaw. The driver allegedly touched the girl inappropriately and made several malicious advances toward her during the journey while she was sitting next to him.
"The accused repeatedly harassed the minor with various forms of misconduct and attempted to commit a serious sexual offence," said a senior officer. A case was registered under sections 8, 12, and 18 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012, read with section 74 (molestation) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
The arrest came after a day-long manhunt, during which investigators reviewed multiple CCTV cameras along the route. "Though initial CCTV footage proved inconclusive, the breakthrough came through human intelligence sources deployed in the area. Our officers went around multiple auto stands to identify the man as per the girl's description and the portrait of the man as described by the girl," said the officer.
Cops stated that further investigation is ongoing to determine if the accused was involved in similar incidents in the past. The accused was produced before an Alipore court and was remanded to judicial custody.