By Tasneem Bandukwala
A 17-year-old boy has been taken into custody by Pune police following a complaint of sexual abuse filed by the family of a 13-year-old student. The incident reportedly took place on September 11, at an open ground in the Baner area, near the victim’s school. The arrest was made after the younger boy confided in his father, revealing the details of the alleged assault.
The case came to the attention of authorities after the victim’s father grew concerned about his son’s health and demeanor. A search of the boy’s school bag yielded a sum of approximately ₹400 in cash, an amount the boy was unable to account for.
According to Senior Inspector Chandrashekhar Sawant of the Baner police station, the boy was initially hesitant to explain the money or his poor health. “When the father insisted, the boy then gave him the details,” Sawant confirmed to the Times of India.
Police investigation revealed that the two boys were acquaintances. The 17-year-old, who hails from a family of casual laborers in Pashan, is said to have approached the younger boy outside his school gates after classes on September 11.
He reportedly lured the 13-year-old away to a nearby open field under the pretense of playing. It was there, police allege, that the sexual abuse occurred. Following the incident, the older boy is accused of paying the victim to ensure his silence.
On Tuesday, the victim’s father, who works for a private company in Pimpri Chinchwad, officially lodged a complaint with the Baner police. The police have since registered a case under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The detainee’s age means he will be processed through the juvenile justice system, with a focus on rehabilitation in addition to legal proceedings. The case has sent a ripple of concern through the local community, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and open communication between parents and children.