A 75-year-old senior citizen, Vashu Bhargava, was arrested by police on the charges of molesting an 8-year-old girl belonging to the same high rise society in Indirapuram on Tuesday.
The girl has alleged that Bharagava assaulted her physically and verbally inside the lift of the building a day before the arrest.
“The incident happened on Monday when the victim and her 11-year-old friend took lift from the ground floor. According to the victim, the accused touched her inappropriately and also showed indecent gestures towards her,” police said.
“Initially, the man (accused) tried to trap her when both the girls were playing in the common area in front of the lift. After being unsuccessful in his attempt, he stalked them in the lift,” alleged father of the victim.
The father also disclosed that the victim told him that the accused had molested her on multiple occasions in the past as well.
“He has done this act several times. My daughter was frightened to disclose his actions. Even in this incident, it was her friend who informed me about it,” victim’s father said.
The police has booked the accused under section 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), section 354b (Criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), and section 7 & 8 of POCSO (Protection of Child against Sexual Offences) Act.
The accused was arrested and presented in District court of Ghaziabad on Tuesday. The court has sent the accused in 14 days of judicial custody.
The accused is a native of Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh
