Sahar police charge man with sexual harassment of 24-year-old woman during corporate tour in Badlapur

Mumbai: Sahar police have arrested Shadab Khan for allegedly sexually harassing a 24-year-old woman. The employees of an Andheri East-based company arranged a trip to Kondeshwar, Badlapur.

About the incident

On July 7, nine employees went to Badlapur and stayed overnight at a member’s residence. The accused Khan inappropriately touched the victim while she was sleeping. She woke up when she felt someone touching her, was shocked and immediately left the residence, returned to Mumbai and informed the company’s HR department.

The Committee Against Sexual Harassment advised her to approach the police as the incident had taken place outside the office. She later approached the Sahar police and filed a complaint against Khan on July 13.

About the police report

According to the police report, the incident involved employees of a financial company in Marol, Andheri East. In early July, some employees were planning a trek. They decided to go to Kondeshwar in Badlapur, travelled and stayed overnight in a hotel on July 6. The trek was planned for the next day.

The group of nine, including three women, reached Belapur at around 7:45 pm and cycled to Badlapur. They reached Trishul Valley, Golden Ville in Sonavali at around 9:30 pm. After dinner, they went to the residence of one member. Three women, the accused and another male member stayed in one room while the others stayed in another room. After midnight, almost everyone was asleep. Only the victim, the accused and another male member in the women’s room stayed awake and chatted till 3:30 am.

In the morning, the victim was sleepy and decided not to wander but to sleep. The accused also stayed in the room. He woke her up and said that they were alone in the room, then he approached her. She told him that she was feeling unwell and asked him to stay away. Later, she fell asleep again. Suddenly, she felt someone touching her breast and when she woke up, she noticed that Khan was touching her inappropriately. She asked him what he was doing and he replied, “Don’t look like that. I know what I am doing. I am enjoying it.”

She then started crying, took her bag and left the apartment. She called another member of the group who came back and narrated the incident to him. When she returned to Mumbai, she complained about Khan to the HR department. The Committee Against Sexual Harassment started an investigation and found that the incident had taken place outside the company, so she was advised to approach the police. She then approached the Sahar police and filed a complaint against Khan.

Case registered under various sections of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita Act

Police have registered the case under sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75 (sexual harassment) and 76 (assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to disrobe her) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita Act.

Published on: Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 14:55 IST