ACP-rank Mumbai Police officer arrested for allegedly molesting 9-year-old in Worli
Synopsis
A serving ACP-rank officer posted at the DGP's office in Mumbai was arrested for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl at a public garden in Worli — and a second minor has since come forward with a similar allegation. The case, registered under POCSO and the BNS, raises sharp questions about oversight of officers in sensitive postings.
Key Takeaways
An ACP-rank officer was arrested by Mumbai Police on 1 May for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl at Singh Garden, Worli .
The accused was produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody .
He has been booked under Sections 74 and 79 of the BNS and Section 12 of the POCSO Act .
A second minor — a boy — has alleged similar behaviour by the same officer approximately one week prior.
The officer was posted to the DGP's office in Mumbai since November 2025 and was residing at the Worli Police Camp .
Absence of CCTV footage at Singh Garden poses a challenge; the case relies on witness testimony and forensic evidence.
An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)-rank officer was arrested by Mumbai Police on 1 May for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl inside a public garden in Worli. The Worli Police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the accused has been remanded to judicial custody following his production before a local court.
What Allegedly Happened
According to officials at the Worli Police Station, the incident occurred when the victim went to play at Singh Garden in the vicinity. The officer allegedly approached the child, performed indecent acts in her presence, and coerced her into touching his private parts. Distressed, the girl fled home and recounted the ordeal to her mother.
The victim's mother, who works as a domestic helper, immediately reported the matter to the police. A team was dispatched to the scene, and based on preliminary questioning and identification of the suspect, the officer was taken into custody within a few hours of the complaint being filed.
Second Victim Comes Forward
The investigation has since widened after a minor boy separately approached the police, alleging that approximately one week prior, the same officer had subjected him to similar inappropriate behaviour. Authorities have incorporated this testimony into the ongoing probe and are conducting a separate inquiry to verify the additional claims.
Charges Filed and Legal Proceedings
The accused has been booked under Sections 74 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 12 of the POCSO Act. A senior police official emphasised the gravity of the allegations, stating that swift action was taken to ensure a rigorous legal process. However, investigators face a significant hurdle: the absence of CCTV surveillance at Singh Garden, leaving the case heavily dependent on witness testimony and forensic evidence.
Background of the Accused
The officer, originally a resident of Nagpur, had been posted to the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) in Mumbai since November 2025. Attached to the Police Communication and IT Department, he was residing alone at the Worli Police Camp at the time of the incident. His arrest has sparked serious concerns regarding accountability, discipline, and the efficacy of oversight mechanisms for officers in sensitive positions.
What Happens Next
Mumbai Police officials have assured the public that the matter is being investigated from every possible angle. The absence of CCTV footage makes witness statements and forensic corroboration critical to the prosecution's case. With a second alleged victim now part of the probe, the scope of the investigation is expected to expand further in the coming days.
Point of View
No less — could allegedly commit such an act in a public garden points to a systemic failure in conduct monitoring, not just an individual lapse. The absence of CCTV at Singh Garden is a separate accountability gap that local authorities must answer for. The emergence of a second alleged victim within days of the first complaint suggests the matter may be more serious than a single incident. Internal departmental action, beyond the criminal case, will be the real test of whether Mumbai Police can hold its own accountable.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the ACP-rank officer arrested in Mumbai?
The officer was arrested on 1 May by Worli Police for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl at Singh Garden in Worli, Mumbai. A case has been registered under the POCSO Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
What charges have been filed against the accused officer?
He has been booked under Sections 74 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 12 of the POCSO Act. He was produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody.
Is there a second victim in the Worli POCSO case?
Yes. A minor boy separately approached the police, alleging that the same officer subjected him to similar inappropriate behaviour approximately one week before the first incident. Authorities are conducting a separate inquiry into this claim.
Where was the accused officer posted at the time of the arrest?
The officer, originally from Nagpur, had been posted to the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) in Mumbai since November 2025. He was attached to the Police Communication and IT Department and was residing at the Worli Police Camp.
What are the key challenges in investigating this case?
The primary challenge is the absence of CCTV surveillance at Singh Garden, where the alleged incident occurred. Investigators are therefore relying on witness testimony and forensic evidence to build the case.
