Pune: A 23-year-old auto rickshaw driver has been arrested by Pune police for allegedly threatening and molesting a 16-year-old girl who was traveling alone in his rickshaw.

The driver, Govind Hanumant Nenavat, reportedly threatened the girl by referencing a notorious incident in Kolkata and attempted to molest her during the ride.

The incident took place on Friday (August 23) morning between 7:45 AM and 8:00 AM, while the girl was commuting from Navale Bridge to Katraj. According to the complaint lodged by the girl's mother with the Bharati Vidyapeeth Police, the driver initially took advantage of the girl's solitude by asking if she had a boyfriend and then grabbed her hand.

When the girl resisted, he released her but continued to make obscene comments. He spoke about the Kolkata incident in explicit detail and later suggested they go to a lodge, molesting her again by grabbing her hand.

The incident came to light when workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) intervened, apprehending the driver and handing him over to the police after assaulting him. The police have arrested the driver, and the investigation is being led by Sub-Inspector Koli.

A school van driver responsible for transporting school students has been arrested after he allegedly sent inappropriate and obscene messages to a schoolgirl. The incident came to light when the girl's parents discovered the messages and alerted members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

The accused, identified as Rajesh Patwale, reportedly sent a message to the girl expressing his affection for her. Outraged by this act, MNS workers, led by leaders Ganesh Bhokare, Vinayak Kotkar, Rishikesh Shinde, Narendra Tamboli, Nilesh Hande, and Sunil Loye, apprehended Patwale and handed him over to the police.