Security Guard at quarantine centre in Pune arrested on charges of harassing female patient

Pune: The Bharati Vidyapeeth police arrested a security guard at a quarantine centre on Sinhagad road on charges of harassing a 27-year-old woman, who was under medical treatment, on the night of July 16. The police have registered an FIR over the phone after the woman raised this issue with activists from a socio-political organization.

The suspect who is in police custody has been identified to be Lokesh Dilip Mate (30), a resident of Rajyog society in Dhayari. The concerned patient has filed a complaint against Mate at Bharati Vidyapeeth police station over the phone due to the Covid-19 situation.

Senior Police Inspector Vasant Kunwar said, "The alleged incident took place on July 16 at a quarantine centre in Sinhagad road area. Mate was deputed as a security guard at this centre. The complainant was the only female patient amongst all who were admitted in the centre. When the complainant was taking rest in her room on July 16 night, Lokesh approached her and told her that he had come for inspection for security purposes. Mate then asked for her mobile number on the pretext of security reasons."

"Late night, at around 1 am, Mate messaged the complainant on her mobile number asking her if she has any problem. Half an hour later, he started knocking on the door of her room and harassed her. Mate also sent obscene and objectionable messages to the complainant," PI Kunwar said.

Horrified over the security guard's conduct, the complainant approached Santosh Shinde and Prashant Dhumal, District President and City President of the Sambhaji Brigade organization. They contacted the police commissioner and district collector office and demanded action against the suspect in this case.

Taking serious cognizance of this incident, Bharati Vidyapeeth police inquired about it and immediately registered a case against Mate by taking the female patient's complaint over the phone. Assistant Police Inspector Madhura Lonare is investigating the case.