Mumbai Crime: Van Driver Arrested For Allegedly Molesting Australian Navy Personnel; Probe Underway

Mumbai: A 32-year-old driver of a van, identified as Anil Sharanappa Kamble, has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 23-year-old Australian national on Saturday night while driving her to a ship stationed at a dock.

According to the police, the incident occurred at 11:35pm inside the Green Gate area of the Mumbai Port Trust (BPT). The Yellow Gate Police registered a complaint on Sunday at 7:52am under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for assaulting a woman and outraging her modesty.

According to the police, the woman, reportedly a personnel in the Royal Australian Navy personnel, was boarding a Tempo Traveller when Kamble, on the pretence of shaking her hand, pulled her towards him. It is not known whether there were other passengers in the van. The incident occurred near a New Zealand vessel docked at the Mumbai Port Trust. 

Following the complaint, the Yellow Gate Police promptly arrested Kamble, who resides at Jai Bhavani Chawl, Damupada, Kandivali. The accused has appeared before court and court sent him to police custody for a day, said police officials.

New Zealand Prime Minister’s Visit to Mumbai

The incident occurred near a New Zealand vessel docked at the Mumbai Port Trust. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon recently visited Mumbai as part of his official engagements. During his visit, he toured the New Zealand Navy vessel docked at BPT. The vessel remains stationed at the port, marking the continuation of its stay in Mumbai.