Gwalior, Sep 22 (IANS): Swift action following a viral CCTV clip led to the arrest of a man accused of assaulting minor girls in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior district, police said on Tuesday.
The accused, Yuvraj Rawat, was picked up from the Bhitarwar bus stand two days after he allegedly waylaid two minor girls returning home from coaching classes on SITM School Road in Bhitarwar town and misbehaved with them.
According to police, Rawat stopped the girls, who were on a motorcycle, passed lewd remarks and slapped one of them before fleeing. A CCTV camera installed in the locality captured the act.
The footage surfaced on social media on Monday, triggering public outrage. Taking cognisance of the video, police began identifying the accused even as the family of one of the victims lodged a formal complaint at Bhitarwar police station.
A case was registered against Rawat under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to assault and molestation, along with provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
“After the CCTV footage came to our notice, the police team was directed to identify the accused and take immediate action on the complaint of the minor,” Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Manish Yadav told IANS.
Acting on local inputs and technical surveillance, police traced Rawat’s movements and nabbed him from the bus stand while he was allegedly trying to leave the area. “Yuvraj Rawat has been arrested and produced before the court, which sent him to jail. Further investigation is being carried out in the case,” Yadav said.
Police confirmed that the identities of both minor girls have been established and their statements recorded in the presence of family members and a woman police officer, as per procedure under the POCSO Act.
Officials said they are examining CCTV footage, the complaint, and other evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events. Investigators are also probing whether anyone else was involved or whether the accused has a previous criminal record.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of school-going girls in the area, particularly those attending evening coaching classes.
