Thane, July 1: In a rare and commendable display of legal efficiency, the Shri Nagar police in Thane filed a chargesheet within 24 hours after a 22-year-old woman with special needs reported a molestation incident involving a 57-year-old local flower vendor.
The victim, from a financially underprivileged background, alleged that the vendor harassed her while she was returning home alone. The FIR was promptly registered, and the accused was arrested within hours. Police investigators acted with urgency, compiling a comprehensive chargesheet supported by five eyewitness accounts, CCTV footage, and forensic details.
Recognizing the emotional and financial challenges faced by the survivor and her family, police requested the court to fast-track her testimony. The request was accepted, ensuring that her statement was recorded swiftly and respectfully.
In just over six weeks, the court found the accused guilty, sentencing him to one year of rigorous imprisonment and imposing an ₹11,000 fine.
The victim’s family expressed relief and gratitude toward the police and judiciary. “Prolonged hearings would have been impossible for us,” said her elder brother. “We live hand-to-mouth. The quick justice lifted a burden from our hearts.”
This case not only underscores the importance of speedy justice, particularly for vulnerable individuals, but also sets a powerful precedent for police responsiveness and judicial sensitivity in similar cases.
Thane Police Commissionerate’s push for fast-track handling of crimes against women and differently abled individuals is being hailed as a model of empathetic law enforcement.
