Mumbai: 2 runaway minors raped near Mahim dargah

Representation Pic/istock

The Mahim police have arrested two city-based youths for allegedly raping minor girls in the premises behind Mahim Dargah, near Mahim Beach. According to officials from the Mahim police station privy to the investigation, the two incidents took place at different times but at the same location. The first incident occurred on March 23, while the second took place on April 4. Both cases came to light when they were reported to the police on April 10.

"During a routine check near Bandra railway station, police personnel noticed two underage girls headed towards the station without any accompanying adult or guardian. When questioned about their whereabouts, their responses appeared inconsistent, prompting the officers to take them to the One Stop Centre," a senior police official said.

The One Stop Centre, located in Bandra, is a facility that provides integrated support services for women affected by violence, offering medical, legal, psychological, counselling assistance, and shelter.

"At the One Stop Centre, women police officers engaged with the girls to understand their situation and family background. During the conversation, the girls revealed that they had left their homes and had been staying near Mahim Dargah, where certain incidents had taken place during their stay," the official added.

Both victims, aged 15 and 17, had left their respective homes in Gujarat and Bihar following minor disputes with their families. They travelled to Mumbai by train, arriving at Bandra railway station, and later made their way to Mahim Dargah, where they stayed for several weeks. During their stay, they were provided food and a place to sleep by people associated with the Dargah.

"During their stay, the girls came in contact with the accused, who introduced themselves as locals, and appeared to be offering help," an official said. The two accused have been identified as Rehan Anwar Ali Khan, 19, a resident of Bandra East, and Ganesh alias Magdum Bhima 19, a resident of Mahim West. Both were employed as labourers within the Dargah premises.

According to the police, the accused would take the girls out for walks, and on one such occasion, allegedly raped them during isolated hours.

During the counselling session at the One Stop Centre, the girls disclosed the entire sequence of events," a police official said. Initially, the matter was registered at Nirmal Nagar police station, as the Centre is located in Bandra East. However, since the location of the alleged crime - Mahim Dargah - falls under the jurisdiction of Mahim police station, the case was subsequently transferred there for further investigation.

The investigating team examined CCTV camera footage in and around the area, using the information, descriptions, and names provided by the victims to identify the accused. Within a few days, both were traced and taken into custody.

During questioning, the accused claimed that their interactions with the girls were "consensual", despite being aware that both victims were underage, police officials said.

They have been booked under section 64 (rape) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and sections 4 (penetrative sexual assault), 8 (sexual assault), and 12 (sexual harrasment of a child) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

A senior police official, who confirmed that the victims have been reunited with their families, told mid-day, "There's a concerning communication gap between parents and their children these days. It's crucial for parents to engage in open, healthy conversations with their kids and build a relationship where children feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. In this case, minor disagreements and a lack of communication pushed the girls to leave their homes, leaving their families anxious and distressed."