Maharashtra Official Booked for Alleged Molestation of Minor During Scholarship Enquiry

A Palghar Zilla Parishad employee is under investigation after being accused of molesting a minor girl while purportedly providing details about a scholarship, sparking outrage and prompting a police investigation.

A 45-year-old employee from the Palghar Zilla Parishad in Maharashtra has been booked for allegedly molesting a minor girl under the pretext of providing information about a scholarship programme, police said on Friday.

The 17-year-old girl had visited the education department of the Zilla Parishad office on April 1 along with her sister. During the interaction, an official allegedly touched her inappropriately while pretending to provide scholarship details.

The girl resisted the advances and reportedly slapped the accused before rushing to the Palghar police station to lodge a formal complaint, an official said.

A case has been registered against the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, he said.

Zilla Parishad Response to Molestation Allegations

Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Manoj Ranade promised an inquiry into the alleged incident. "The said employee is known to be a good worker, and it is difficult to believe such an incident took place. We are awaiting a report from the police," Ranade told reporters.

The CEO said the administration would not shield the accused if found guilty.

"We have a Vishaka Committee (to handle sexual harassment at the workplace), which will look into the matter. We will also carry out an internal probe. If any wrongdoing is established, strict action will definitely be taken," he said.