Mumbai: A year after a shocking incident of molestation at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), a police constable from the Government Railway Police (GRP) has finally been booked for outraging the modesty of a woman passenger.
The complaint, registered on Tuesday, comes nearly 12 months after the alleged incident, which had initially gone unreported due to the victim’s fear and trauma.
According to police, the victim, a 39-year-old resident of Nagpur, was at CSMT in June 2024 while on her way back from Gujarat’s Valsad, where she had visited her sister. She arrived at the station late at night and, with her train delayed, sat alone on a bench outside the police station near the platform.
Around 2 AM, Constable Changdev Karale (54), who was on night duty, approached the woman under the pretext of routine questioning. Upon learning she was alone, Karale allegedly made lewd advances and demanded sexual favors. When the woman refused, he reportedly behaved indecently and tried to physically touch her inappropriately.
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Fortunately, a passing commuter witnessed the incident and confronted the constable, leading to the arrival of other policemen. However, fearing backlash and humiliation, the woman refused to lodge a complaint at the time and quietly left the station. Karale was not immediately penalized but was later transferred to the police headquarters following internal murmurs.
Nearly a year later, on Tuesday, the woman returned to CSMT Police Station accompanied by her father and narrated the entire episode. “I was in shock and fear for a long time. But now, I have gathered the courage to come forward,” she told officers.
After recording her detailed statement, the police registered an FIR against Constable Karale under Sections 354 and 354(A) Of IPC, which pertain to assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, and sexual harassment. Accused Police Constable has been suspended for 3 months after incident took place and he has working now in GRP headquarter, Ghatkopar.
“We have registered an offence and will now proceed with legal action as per procedure,” said Senior Inspector Sambhaji Katare of CSMT Police Station. An investigation is underway, and further disciplinary action is expected against the accused police.
This case highlights the challenges faced by victims of harassment when the perpetrator is in a position of authority and underlines the importance of building trust and support mechanisms to empower survivors to report such crimes, even if delayed.
