Two Men Arrested for Molesting Minor and Assaulting Her Mother in Nagpur
Nagpur, India: Authorities have arrested two men—identified as Ritesh Lokhande, 30, a local resident near Khalsa Gate, and Chandrakant Ghodeshwar, 45, from Bhivasenkhori on Dabha Road—on charges of molesting a minor girl and assaulting her mother in Kapil Nagar.
The 17-year-old victim, who lives with her mother following the death of her father, reported a disturbing pattern of behavior by Ritesh since November 1, 2024. While her mother was at work, Ritesh allegedly visited the girl’s home under the guise of taking photographs and subjected her to unwanted touching and harassment. He reportedly warned her that he would do to her what Chandrakant had done to her mother.
Tensions escalated on March 26 when Ritesh posted a provocative message in their housing society's WhatsApp group, falsely accusing girls from specific floors of engaging in inappropriate activities with boys. This prompted the victim's mother to confront Ritesh at his home, where she was met with verbal abuse and physical assault. The minor attempted to intervene, but was also met with hostility.
Following the complaint filed by the victim, the Kapil Nagar police registered a case against the two men under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS)—including Sections 74, 75, 352, 115(2), and 49—as well as relevant provisions of the POCSO Act.
The incident has sparked outrage within the community, and investigations are ongoing.
