Union Minister and BJP leader Raksha Khadse has lodged a formal complaint against a group of young men for allegedly harassing her minor daughter and other girls during the Sant Muktai Yatra in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district. The incident reportedly took place on February 28 in Kothari village, where a group of boys, including one identified as Aniket Ghui, allegedly stalked and molested three to four girls attending the yatra.
Speaking to the media, Khadse stated that her daughter was among those harassed and that she personally visited the police station to file a complaint. According to sources, some of the accused individuals have prior criminal records and are associated with Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) MLA Chandrakant Patil, adding a political dimension to the case.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reacted strongly to the incident, condemning it as a “cheap act” and asserting that strict action would be taken. He emphasized that the accused would not be spared, adding that law enforcement agencies had already begun making arrests.
A senior police official handling the case confirmed that a case has been registered under charges of stalking and molestation, in addition to provisions from the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act. One of the accused has already been taken into custody, and three dedicated police teams have been deployed to apprehend the remaining individuals.
The incident has sparked significant outrage, with political leaders and the public calling for swift justice. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are expected to take further action in the coming days.
