Mumbai, September 17: Amid the rising cases of crime against women, another such incident has come to the fore from Mumbai. The Mumbai police have booked an 85-year-old retired businessman from Malabar Hill for allegedly molesting a 20-year-old domestic help inside his apartment. Due to his advanced age, the elderly accused has not been arrested but was served a notice as per legal provisions.

According to the report published by the Indian Express, the victim had previously worked in Santacruz for three years before seeking employment closer to her home. Her brother-in-law introduced her to the 45-year-old daughter of the accused. The accused man, his wife, and their daughter reside in a three-bedroom apartment in Malabar Hill. Andheri Shocker: Girl Raped by Social Media ‘Friend’ in Mumbai, Taken to Gujarat and Sexually Assaulted Again; Accused Arrested.

Victim Started Working There on September 9

The domestic help began working there on September 9. In her police report, the victim mentioned that from the day she started working at the Malabar Hill residence, the 85-year-old would constantly look at her and smile. She chose to ignore his behaviour, attributing it to his old age.

Elderly Man Allegedly Molests 20-Year-Old House Help

On September 11, while the accused’s wife was bathing and their daughter was out, the accused allegedly molested the help. "The 85-year-old was sitting at the dining table. I went to the kitchen to get a cloth to clean something when the accused came, touched me inappropriately, and grabbed me from behind," the victim alleged. She further claimed that after pushing him away and moving to the hall, the accused followed, groped, and kissed her. Mumbai Shocker: Class 9 Student Rapes 3-Year-Old Girl in Sakinaka, Arrested.

Unable to reach her brother-in-law, the help contacted her previous employer to report the incident. She later informed the accused’s wife, who confronted her husband and apologised to the help. The victim lodged a complaint with the Malabar Hill police on September 12. "We recorded her statement and registered a case under Section 74 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the BNS Act," the media outlet quoted an officer as saying. "We have not arrested the accused due to his old age but have served him a notice as per the law," he added.

Women and Child Helpline Numbers:

Childline India – 1098; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women / Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/ 1291; Missing Child and Women – 1094.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2024 09:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).