Pune: A 14-year-old girl from Ravet, Pune, has become the victim of inappropriate behavior at the hands of her mother’s partner. The distressing incident was brought to light when the girl confided in her school teacher, leading to the prompt intervention of the authorities.
The incident unfolded when the accused, Pankaj Baburao Dhotre, a 45-year-old resident of Hadapsar, was arrested by the Ravet police following a complaint lodged by the minor.
The police disclosed that the girl's parents have been living separately for the past six years. The girl and her younger brother reside with their mother in a housing society in Ravet, while she attends a local school in Dehuroad as a 6th-grade student.
The mother of the victim has been in a relationship with Dhotre since 2019. He regularly visited their home, and it was during these visits that he reportedly attempted inappropriate acts with the girl. Approximately a year ago, the girl informed her mother about one such incident, but her mother allegedly dismissed the complaint.
The situation escalated on August 8, when Dhotre, finding the girl alone at home, once again engaged in inappropriate behavior. The terrified girl managed to escape his grasp by raising an alarm.
On August 28, she bravely narrated her ordeal to her class teacher, who then informed the school principal. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the principal immediately contacted the Damini squad, a special police unit for crimes against women and children.
Following the intervention, the Ravet police swiftly registered a case against Dhotre, who is now in custody, while further investigations are ongoing.
