Pune: Minor girl detained for money, raped, forced into prostitution; couple booked, woman arrested

Pune: A 17-year-old girl was confined to a room in a lodge for 10-15 days as her father failed to return borrowed money. The minor was also raped. The Bharati Vidyapeeth Police have booked a couple and arrested the woman under the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (PITA), 1956. The woman’s husband is absconding.

The incident took place at the victim’s house, KK Market, Dhankawadi from October 2023 to February 14, 2024.

The 17-year-old victim from Katraj lodged a complaint at the Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station. The arrested accused has been identified as Poonam Akash Mane (22). Akash Suresh Mane (24), a resident of Katraj, has been booked under sections 363, 366A, 343, 370, 376, 376(2)(n) of the IPC, along with sections of POCSO Act and PITA.

According to the police, the complainant’s father had borrowed Rs 30,000 from the accused. However, he could not return the money. Then the accused forcefully took away the victim and confined her to a lodge near KK Market for 10-15 days. Akash Mane forcefully had sex with her twice. He threatened the girl to give his money back through whatever means or face dire consequences. She was also forced into prostitution.

Senior PI DS Patil is investigating further.