Mumbai: A 24-year-old man arrested for allegedly molesting a minor tried to hang himself inside the lock-up at Borivali police station on Wednesday afternoon.
Others held in the lock-up spotted him, however, and he was rushed to hospital, where he is currently being treated.
According to police sources, the accused Shahrukh Pathan, was arrested by the Malwani police in a case filed against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on Tuesday. After being produced in court on the same day, he had been remanded in police custody till April 29. Subsequently, he was sent to the general lock-up at the Borivali police station.
Inmates alert cops
Officials said that at around 4:15 pm on Wednesday, other occupants of the lock-up raised an alarm saying that Pathan was trying to hang himself using his T-shirt near the toilet in the lock-up.
The personnel on duty immediately opened the lock-up and stopped him.
“As he was near the bathroom area, which is not easily visible from outside, the constables on duty at the time were not able to see him,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Vikram Deshmane (Zone XI).
Under treatment
Pathan was rushed to Shatabdi hospital in Kandivali, where doctors declared him to be out of danger. He is currently receiving treatment for a neurological condition, which is a result of his addiction to drugs, the police said.
“We don’t know the reason behind his attempt to take the extreme step, but it seems his addiction to drugs might have led to it,” said Senior Police Inspector Gunaji Sawant, Borivali police station.
Pathan was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly kidnapping and molesting a 16-year-old girl in Malad.
“The complaint against Pathan was registered on Sunday, and we arrested him on Tuesday. He was charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act,” Senior Police Inspector Deepak Phatangre of the Malwani police station added.
