Minor jumps off four storeyed building fearing molestation

A 12-year-old girl jumped from the terrace of a four-storeyed building to escape a man she believed was following her in order to molest her, police said.

The incident happened on Tuesday in Nalasopara in neighbouring Palghar district and came to light after a video of it went viral on social media Friday, police said.

"The girl, a resident of Alkapuri locality in Nalasopara, was out for some work when a man, in his thirties, approached her asking about an address. He then started following her," a police official said.

Fearing molestation, she went to the terrace of a building, and a crowd gathered down below after they saw the girl there, police added.

"They requested her to come down but she didn't. Finally people used clothes to create a safety net which broke her fall when she jumped down," police said.

"We have registered a case under IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) against an unknown person. Investigations are underway to identify him," said Kishor Khairnar, Tulinj police inspector. PTI