MUMBAI: Muktainagar police on Monday arrested seven people, including Kiran Mali, a local leader from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and a former corporator, for allegedly harassing and stalking the daughter of Union Minister of State and BJP MP Raksha Khadse.
On Sunday, Khadse alleged that her minor daughter, along with other girls, was harassed during an event in Jalgaon. Following her complaint, an FIR was registered against seven people, including Soham Mali, who has been arrested and is reportedly close to local Shiv Sena MLA Chandrakant Patil.
The accused, from the same village as the victim, were known to her. Khadse’s bodyguard identified them, stating that they not only misbehaved with the girls but also grabbed his collar and threatened him during the event.
The seven have been booked under stalking and other offences listed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Provisions of the Information Technology Act have also been invoked, as they allegedly took pictures and videos of the girls without consent.
Khadse, who was in Gujarat at the time, said her daughter had sought permission to attend the event and was accompanied by security for safety. However, a group of boys followed her daughter and her friends, taking photos and videos. When her staff intervened, the boys became aggressive, and a mob of 30 to 40 people gathered around them.
She further alleged that the same group had misbehaved with her daughter at a public event on February 24.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday assured strict action in the case.