THANE (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) — A 23-year-old man from Thane’s Lokmanya Nagar has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old schoolgirl and extorting ₹50,000 from her over a six-month period. The accused, identified as Prathamesh Desai, was taken into custody by the Vartak Nagar police on Monday following a formal complaint by the victim’s parents.
Exploitation and Extortion (Sept 2025 – Feb 2026)
According to the FIR, the ordeal began in September 2025 and continued through February 2026. Desai allegedly used a combination of physical abuse and psychological manipulation to exploit the minor.
- Modus Operandi: On multiple occasions, Desai reportedly took the girl to isolated locations within Thane city and molested her.
- The Threat: To ensure her silence, the accused threatened to “inform her parents” about their purported relationship, effectively using social stigma to blackmail her.
- Financial Extortion: Under the weight of these persistent threats, the victim was forced to pay Desai a total of ₹50,000 in multiple installments over the six-month period.
Case Filing and Legal Charges
The victim eventually broke her silence and confided in her parents, who approached the authorities on March 1, 2026.
The Vartak Nagar police have booked Desai under several stringent sections of the law:
- POCSO Act: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, due to the age of the victim.
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Sections pertaining to molestation, extortion, and criminal intimidation.
Current Status: Desai is currently in police custody. Investigators are looking into whether he targeted other minors in the locality and are working to recover the extorted funds.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “Man held for molesting, extorting Rs 50,000 from schoolgirl in Thane” (March 4, 2026)
- The Times of India: “Thane: 23-year-old arrested for extorting money from minor schoolgirl” (March 4, 2026)
- Mid-Day Mumbai: “Vartak Nagar police nab man for six-month exploitation of 15-year-old” (March 4, 2026)
- Lokmat Times: “Thane Crime: Prathamesh Desai booked under POCSO for molesting minor” (March 4, 2026)
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