Pune: In a disturbing series of incidents, two elderly men in Pune have been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting young schoolgirls by luring them with treats and threatening them with harm.

The cases, which have sparked public outrage, highlight a worrying trend of rising assaults on minors, often involving trusted individuals within their close circles.

In the first case, a 78-year-old man, identified as Madhukar Piraji Thite from Dhankawadi, was arrested after allegedly assaulting a seven-year-old girl.

According to the police report filed at the Sahakarnagar police station, Thite lured the young girl to his home by offering her a treat. Once inside, he assaulted her, and when the girl cried for help, Thite allegedly held a knife to her throat, threatening to kill her if she spoke about the incident to anyone.

The traumatized child later confided in her grandmother, who promptly reported the matter to the authorities.

A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and Assistant Police Commissioner Nandini Vagyani-Paraje is leading the investigation.

In a related incident, the Sahakarnagar police also filed charges against another senior citizen, Mahavir Shrimalji Shingvi, aged 70, for a similar crime.

Shingvi is accused of luring an eight-year-old girl with the promise of a treat and then assaulting her.

Authorities have noted that many of these incidents involve individuals who are either relatives or known to the victims, highlighting the complex and insidious nature of such crimes.