Indian Man molesting Guest in Flat caught on CCTV

An Indian man identified as Bhavin Shah was arrested for molesting a woman at a flat in Navrangpura, Ahmedabad.

The 29-year-old entered the flat which provides accommodation for paying women.

Shah, who works as a food delivery person, sneaked into the flat and sexually assaulted the sleeping woman.

The incident was captured on CCTV which ultimately led to his arrest.

An officer from Navrangpura Police Station said:

“The incident occurred on June 14 at midnight when the man, later identified as Bhavin Shah, entered the flat in Kamal Nayan Apartments in Navrangpura locality after finding its door was unlocked.”

It was reported that Shah had been at the apartment before when delivering food and had noticed a lack of security.

However, the CCTV identified him. The footage showed Shah inappropriately touching the sleeping woman’s chest before moving his hand towards her jeans.

Officers stated that another woman caught Shah sneaking out of the flat and raised an alarm but he managed to escape.

The victim, who works as a cleaner at the apartment, initially did not realise she was molested until she was woken by three young women staying at the accommodation.

They had asked if she had seen a man. When she said no, the three women rushed downstairs to look for him but he had already fled the scene.

DCP Pravin Mal said: “An FIR has been registered under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 452 (house-trespass) of the Indian Penal Code against unknown persons.”

They looked at the CCTV footage and managed to identify the Indian man.

The Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja said the woman initially refused to file a complaint but a social worker living at the apartment encouraged her to do so.

Mal added: “If we find any cognisable offence is made out against the owners of the PG hostel, then we will take action against them as well.”

Six police teams searched for Shah and eventually arrested him.

ACP LB Zala said: “Shah has confessed he was in the flat but as of now he has not admitted to having done a perverted act during preliminary interrogation.

“The CCTV footage is, however, very clear and he will find it difficult to deny his act.”

Members from the state women’s commission visited the apartment. The chairperson, Leela Ankolia called the incident “extremely worrying”.

She said: “This is a despicable incident. We are extremely worried over it. The management of the hostel should take care that such incidents do not happen again.”

Approximately 19 women are paying guests at the apartment.