Daijiworld Media Network - Palghar
Palghar, Jun 18: In a shocking turn of events, police in Palghar district have apprehended two individuals linked to separate and alarming sexual assault cases involving minor girls. These incidents, which include serious allegations of rape, blackmail, and threats, highlight ongoing concerns regarding the safety of minors in the region.
In Nalasopara, Pelhar Police arrested 20-year-old Saurabh Jaiswal, a resident of Santosh Bhavan, for allegedly raping a minor girl, blackmailing her with private photos, and threatening her with an acid attack. Jaiswal was taken into custody late on June 17. Reports indicate that the 17-year-old survivor, a student from Andheri East, Mumbai, befriended Jaiswal in June 2024. By November 2024, he had lured her to his home, where he attempted physical intimacy. When she resisted, he reportedly blackmailed her with threats to share intimate photos with her family via WhatsApp. Under duress, he allegedly undressed her, took nude photographs, and subsequently sexually assaulted her.
The abuse and blackmail continued, with Jaiswal stalking the survivor and repeatedly threatening to post her explicit photos on Instagram, even issuing severe threats, including warnings of an acid attack. The ordeal persisted until June 10, 2025, when the brave survivor approached the police. An FIR was registered on June 14, 2025, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, as well as the Information Technology Act, 2000. Authorities acknowledged a delay in reporting due to the survivor's trauma but confirmed immediate legal action upon receiving the complaint. Counseling and legal assistance are being provided to her.
In a separate but equally grave case, Tulinj Police in Palghar district arrested 23-year-old Niraj Shravan Prasad, a resident of Aman Apartment, Nalasopara East, for allegedly repeatedly raping a minor girl under the pretext of marriage. Prasad was apprehended on June 17. The 16-year-old survivor was targeted by Prasad between January 2025 and June 6. Despite knowing her age, he coerced her into physical relations multiple times, consistently promising to marry her. The abuse occurred at his residence, escalating on June 15, when he threatened the survivor, stating he would not marry her. Traumatized by the ongoing abuse and threats, she finally approached the Tulinj Police Station to file a complaint.
Upon receiving the complaint, police promptly registered an FIR under multiple sections of the IPC and the POCSO Act, 2012. Prasad was arrested the same evening at 8:18 PM. Authorities have assured that appropriate support and legal assistance will be extended to both survivors as the investigation unfolds.