A tense situation unfolded in the Althan area of Surat, Gujarat, after a minor Hindu girl was molested by a Muslim while returning home from her tuition classes on the evening of 24th April. The incident, which occurred around 8:15 pm near Atlanta Mall, quickly sparked outrage among locals, leading to large protests late into the night.
Incident and immediate response
According to police officials, the accused, identified as Mohammad Aziz Ilyas, reportedly grabbed the girl’s hand and tried to molest her while she was on her way home. The minor raised an alarm and shouted for help, which drew the attention of people nearby. Locals rushed to the spot, caught the man on the spot, and handed him over to the police.
ACP R. Desai confirmed that alert residents played a key role in detaining the accused before police arrived. He added that the accused was taken into custody by a PCR team soon after.
Police action and legal case
DCP Nidhi Thakur stated that the police acted quickly after receiving the complaint. An FIR was registered under strict provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), in the presence of the girl’s parents and her teacher. The accused has been formally arrested, and further investigation is underway.
Police are also reviewing CCTV footage from the area to gather more evidence related to the incident.
Protests and rising tension
As news of the incident spread rapidly through social media and local groups, a large number of people, including members of Hindu organisations and Patidar community leaders, gathered outside the Althan police station. The crowd demanded strict action against the accused, leading to a tense atmosphere in the area.
Family reaction and current situation
The girl’s family was left shocked after hearing about the incident, and there was widespread anger in the community. Many residents gathered to support the family and demanded justice.
Police officials said that the situation is now under control and the investigation is underway.
