Pune molestation case: Man held in Katraj after locals thrash accused
Synopsis
A 30-year-old Uttar Pradesh native living in Pune was arrested after allegedly molesting an 18-year-old woman in Katraj on 24 October. Locals caught and thrashed the accused before police arrived. A case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered, and prior allegations from UP are also being probed.
Key Takeaways
Jitu Kishorilal Saroj , 30 , was arrested in Pune's Katraj area on 26 October 2025 for allegedly molesting an 18-year-old woman .
The incident occurred on 24 October at around 6:30 pm near Samarth Dairy, Sukhsagarnagar .
Locals caught the accused and reportedly assaulted him before police took him into custody.
A case has been registered under Sections 76 and 324(4) of the BNS at Bharati Vidyapeeth police station .
The accused's brother reportedly told police he had allegedly behaved similarly in Uttar Pradesh ; police said verification is ongoing.
A 30-year-old man was taken into custody on Monday, 26 October 2025, for allegedly molesting an 18-year-old woman and attempting to lift her in Pune's Katraj area, police confirmed. The accused was reportedly thrashed by local residents who rushed to the spot after the woman raised an alarm.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to police, the incident took place on 24 October at approximately 6:30 pm near Samarth Dairy, Sukhsagarnagar. The woman had arrived at the location to visit her friend, Mansi Gaikwad, and was waiting outside when the accused allegedly approached her.
The accused allegedly touched the woman inappropriately and pulled at her clothing before attempting to lift her. The woman immediately raised an alarm, prompting Mansi Gaikwad — who had arrived by then — to intervene by pushing the accused away. Mansi's aunt, Sheetal Gaikwad, and a bystander identified as Vishnu More also came to her assistance. During the altercation, the accused allegedly threw More's mobile phone to the ground, damaging it.
The woman's cries drew residents from the surrounding neighbourhood. Those who gathered at the spot reportedly caught hold of the accused and assaulted him before police arrived and took him into custody.
Who the Accused Is
The accused has been identified as Jitu Kishorilal Saroj, a native of Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh. He was residing in a rented house in the Vidyanagar area along Katraj-Kondhwa Road in Pune at the time of the incident.
Separately, police said they received information from the accused's brother suggesting he had allegedly behaved similarly towards women while living in Uttar Pradesh. However, the police noted that further verification would be required to establish those allegations.
What the Police Said
Senior Police Inspector Sudarshan Gaikwad of Bharati Vidyapeeth police station confirmed that the accused initially touched the woman, who moved away. He then allegedly came up behind her and attempted to pick her up, causing her to fall. The officer noted that the accused lived in the same locality as the incident.
A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 76 and 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe her, and mischief causing damage, respectively. The accused was to be produced before a court on Monday.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Police stated that the investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is ongoing. The case has been registered at Bharati Vidyapeeth police station in Pune. Authorities are also examining the prior conduct allegations from Uttar Pradesh as part of broader inquiries.
The incident underscores persistent concerns about women's safety in urban neighbourhoods, and the role bystanders play when institutional response takes time to arrive.
Point of View
However viscerally understandable, complicates due process — and that the accused's legal rights exist independent of the gravity of the alleged offence. The detail about prior behaviour in Uttar Pradesh, sourced from a relative, deserves scrutiny before it enters the public record as established fact. More structurally, the incident reflects a recurring pattern in dense urban localities where policing response lags and residents fill the gap, raising questions about beat-level presence in high-density corridors like Katraj-Kondhwa Road.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Pune Katraj molestation case?
The arrested accused has been identified as Jitu Kishorilal Saroj , a 30-year-old man originally from Pratapgarh district in Uttar Pradesh, who was residing in the Vidyanagar area along Katraj-Kondhwa Road in Pune at the time of the incident.
What happened to the woman in the Pune Katraj incident?
An 18-year-old woman was allegedly approached by the accused while waiting outside for her friend on 24 October 2025. He allegedly touched her inappropriately, pulled at her clothing, and attempted to lift her before she raised an alarm and bystanders intervened.
What charges have been filed against the accused?
A case has been registered under Sections 76 and 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), dealing with assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe her, and mischief causing damage, respectively, at Bharati Vidyapeeth police station in Pune.
Why were locals involved in assaulting the accused?
The woman's cries for help drew residents from the surrounding area. According to police, these bystanders caught hold of the accused and reportedly assaulted him before officers arrived and took him into custody.
Are there any prior allegations against the accused?
Police stated they received information from the accused's brother suggesting similar behaviour towards women when the accused was living in Uttar Pradesh. However, the police noted that further verification is required before those allegations can be established.
