Palghar, Maharashtra: In a swift and decisive legal action, a court in Palghar has sentenced a man to one year in prison and imposed a fine of Rs. 5,000 for molesting a woman. The incident took place on the evening of March 30, 2025, near Dhondhalpada in Kelve Road East.
According to the complaint, the victim was walking alone around 8:30 pm, carrying raw materials used to make decorative bindis (tiklis), when the accused, Omkar Santosh Jadhav, a local resident, approached her. As she stepped aside to let him pass, Jadhav allegedly grabbed her hand, tried to gag her, and held her by the neck. Although the victim managed to escape, he reportedly pulled at her saree from behind, further outraging her modesty.
Following the incident, a case was promptly registered at Saphale Police Station on March 31, 2025, under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Recognizing the seriousness of the crime, Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Patil directed Police Inspector Dattatray Shelke to ensure rapid evidence collection and prompt filing of a chargesheet. Under the supervision of Head Constable B. K. Bhavar, the investigating officer, the chargesheet was filed within just 24 hours on April 1, 2025.
The case was tried in the First Class Magistrate Court in Palghar over a span of 29 days. Magistrate K. G. Sawant, along with Public Prosecutor Asha Marwadi and Court Officer V. P. Bhoye conducted a thorough examination of the victim, eyewitnesses, and other critical evidence. On April 29, 2025, the court delivered its verdict, finding Jadhav guilty.
