Armyman held for molesting girl in Cantt

A 43-year-old Army havildar was arrested on Saturday for allegedly molesting a 16-year-old girl living in his neighbourhood at Delhi Cantonment in Southwest Delhi.

The crime took place almost a month ago but was reported to the police on Friday. The police said the girl’s father is also an Armyman. Both the families live in flats in Delhi Cantonment allotted to Army personnel by the government.

The arrested Armyman, identified as Vijender Kumar, is married and lives with his family. He was booked under Section 354A (physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures) of IPC and other relevant sections of protection of children from sexual offences (Pocso) Act. Kumar was produced before a city court that sent him to Tihar jail, said the police. The girl in her complaint told the police that on August 25, she had gone to see off her male friend at a nearby bus stop where Kumar saw her with him. As Kumar knew her as his neighbour, he approached her and asked about the boy. When the girl refused to share any information, he allegedly threatened her saying he will tell her parents about the boy. The girl ignored him and left for home. In her complaint, the girl alleged that she was about to reach home when Kumar first put his hand on her head and then touched her inappropriately.