Surge in POCSO Cases in Mumbai After Badlapur Incident: Over 49 FIRs In 5 Days, Victims Primarily Children Aged 4 to 16 Years
Surge in POCSO Cases in Mumbai After Badlapur Incident: Over 49 FIRs In 5 Days, Victims Primarily Children Aged 4 to 16 Years
Most survivors are children aged four to 16 years, with perpetrators often identified as acquaintances, relatives, watchmen, and others.
There has been a significant surge in the number of cases registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) in Mumbai since August 20.
Following the sexual assault case in Badlapur, which sparked massive protests, nearly a dozen POCSO cases have been reported daily in the city. Prior to this, only three to four cases were reported each day.
This dramatic increase is attributed to heightened awareness efforts by the police, who are actively encouraging citizens to report incidents of sexual abuse and assault.
Most survivors are children aged four to 16 years, with perpetrators often identified as acquaintances, relatives, watchmen, and others.
According to police data, between August 20 and 24, nearly 49 FIRs involving molestation, assault and rape under the POCSO Act were registered across the city.
August 20: 5 cases
August 21: 12 cases
August 22: 11 cases
August 23: 12 cases
August 24: 9 cases
Previous week’s data:
August 16: 3 cases
August 17: 2 cases
August 18: 3 cases
August 19: 1 cases
Recent cases
Three cases registered in Dahisar (August 23) and Malvani (August 21) involved fathers accused of assaulting their children. In another case registered at Sahar police station on August 22, the accused was a stepfather, with victims between six and eight.
In most recent cases, victims, primarily aged 15 to 17 years, were allegedly sexually abused, assaulted, molested, or raped by people they knew, including neighbours, relatives, friends, and familiar figures like watchmen, vendors, and shop stall owners. Only a few cases involved unknown perpetrators.
In two cases, both the accused and the victims are minors. One case registered at Tilak Nagar police station on August 21, and another at RCF station in Chembur on August 20, involved minors in a relationship, with the victim in the RCF case being six months pregnant.
Additionally, two cases were registered in Kandivali and Powai. In Kandivali, both the victim and the accused are minor boys, while an adult, who is unknown, is also involved.
