Neighbour booked for allegedly molesting 14-year-old mentally challenged girl in Ahmedabad

The Shaherkotda police in Ahmedabad have registered a case against a 46-year-old man for allegedly entering his neighbour's flat and molesting a 14-year-old mentally challenged girl while she was alone at home on the afternoon of November 21.

As per the FIR filed on November 24, the victim’s mother, a resident of Bapunagar, stated that she and her husband had left for work as usual on the morning of the incident. Around 12 noon, both returned home briefly for lunch before resuming work at 1 pm, leaving their children - daughters Anaya (name changed, 14), 7 year old daughter and son in the house.

The victims mother stated that after returning from work around 6.45 pm, her son informed her that around 1.45 pm, their neighbour Govinda Verma, who lives in the adjacent flat, had come to their home and sent him downstairs on the pretext of fetching a packet of spices.

When the boy returned, he found the door locked from inside. Verma opened the door, took the spice packet from him, and immediately left for his own flat. Sensing something amiss, the boy later informed his mother.

The mother told the police she questioned Anaya with care, suspecting that Verma may have behaved inappropriately. The girl allegedly told her mother that she had been sitting on the bed in the inner room when Verma entered, sat next to her and improperly touched her. She said Verma quickly opened the door and left upon hearing someone knock.

The complainant said she immediately called her husband, who checked the CCTV camera installed in the lobby. Footage allegedly showed Verma entering their flat and closing the door from inside during the time the children were alone.

The mother said she initially hesitated to approach the police as her daughter was frightened. She later filed a formal complaint after discussing the matter with relatives.

Based on the FIR, police have booked Verma under relevant sections pertaining to molestation and sexual assault of a minor.

Police said further investigation, including verification of CCTV footage and witness statements, is under way.