Retired police inspector Shripad Kamble (60), who was attached to the wireless department of the Mumbai Police, has been sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment for molesting an eight-year-old girl, in 2016.
The parents of the victim, a resident of Sector 20, had registered a case with Nerul police in April 2016, stating that Kamble flashed the victim. “The girl was playing near the stairs of her house, while her sister had gone to a nearby shop. Kamble, who stayed in the same building, saw the her sitting alone, and flashed her,” public prosecutor Sanjay More said.
When the victim’s sister came back from the shop, the girl narrated the incident to her, and she informed her parents. “After the parents approached us, we first visited the spot and spoke to the victim and her sister to verify the facts. We the registered the case and arrested Kamble. We learnt during investigations that he was in police department,” sub-inspector Sonali Rajguru Deshmukh, who was investigating the case, said. The case was investigated by Ms. Deshmukh and assistant police inspector Rajesh Gajjal, and a charge sheet was filed.
“Seven witnesses were presented and the most important statement was that of the victim, who stayed firm,” Mr. More said. Kamble was out on bail during the trial.
Special Judge K.D. Shirbhate convicted him under Section 354 (a) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections of 3,4,7,8 and 12 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. He sentenced Kamble to three years rigorous imprisonment and levied a fine of ₹2,000.