Stalker, 8 accomplices assault teen, mom & aunt in Thane

MUMBAI: A 14-year-old girl, her mother and her aunt were allegedly assaulted by the girl's stalker and his friends in Thane district on Tuesday. The police arrested the stalker and eight of his accomplices under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act for stalking and molestation.

According to the police, the class nine student had been stalked by a man in his 20s for several weeks. She confided in her mother, who confronted the stalker, and the harassment temporarily ceased. However, on Monday, the stalker allegedly intercepted the girl on her way to school and tried to forcibly take her to his house. She resisted and went to school, later informing her mother about the incident.

The following day, the mother and aunt accompanied the girl to school, only to encounter the stalker again. When they confronted him, he brought a group of his friends, who assaulted the mother, daughter, and aunt with sticks, causing minor injuries to the girl's head.

The girl and her mother reported the incident to the local police, who registered a case under sections of the Pocso Act and the BNS Act. All nine men were arrested and remanded to police custody for further questioning. The police are examining closed-circuit television footage as part of their investigation.

The prime accused had allegedly attempted to befriend the girl, eve-teasing her and following her to and from school. After the girl's mother confronted him, he stayed away for a while. The accused men are all from the same locality, and investigations are ongoing to determine if they are involved in harassing other school-going girls.

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