Mumbai: A 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped by five persons on multiple occasions over three months in central Mumbai, police said on Monday.

The police on Sunday arrested a 25-year-old man and detained four juveniles in connection with the sexual assault in the Kalachowki area, an official said.

He said the matter came to light in the early hours of Sunday when the girlfriend of one of the accused arrived at the teen’s house and confronted her about being in a relationship with her boyfriend.

The school girl’s parents then checked her mobile phone and found some videos and messages about her physical relationship with the accused, and subsequently approached the police, he said.

Based on the complaint filed by the girl’s parents, a case was registered against five persons under sections pertaining to gang rape and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the official said.

Mumbai: Two of the three men accused of murdering a 27-year-old man in Mumbai’s Juhu on Sunday morning had been externed from the city just months ago due to their repeated involvement in violent crimes, police said. Cops believe the duo returned to Mumbai specifically to settle an old score with the victim.

Juhu Police identified the arrested accused as Parmeshwara Devendra and Kishan Devendra, both residents of Nehru Nagar, located barely 300 metres from the police station. The third suspect remains on the run. According to officials, both Parmeshwara and Kishan have a history of serious offences, including assault and attempted murder and were ordered out of the city under preventive action.

The victim, Krishna Devendra, also from Nehru Nagar, had a turbulent history with the accused. Several years ago, Krishna was arrested for allegedly killing one of their friends. Although he was later released from jail, the animosity between the two sides persisted. Officers believe this long-standing enmity led the accused to return to Mumbai in defiance of the externment order to execute their plan for revenge.

The incident occurred at around 4 am on Sunday when Krishna was waiting at a bus stop. Armed with knives, Parmeshwara, Kishan, and the third accomplice allegedly attacked him without warning. Krishna suffered multiple stab wounds and collapsed on the spot. He was rushed to Cooper Hospital by locals, but doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

Following the attack, the Juhu Police launched an intensive manhunt. CCTV footage from the area and statements from witnesses quickly pointed to the suspects. Parmeshwara was tracked down and arrested from Vile Parle by Sunday evening, while Kishan was apprehended later the same night in the vicinity. The search for the third accused continues. Both arrested suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Andheri court on Monday.

The Shivajinagar Police, investigating the Govandi child trafficking case, have arrested a total of seven individuals so far, including the prime accused, Mohammad Nabil Rizwan Shaikh alias Sameer (20), a resident of Rafique Nagar and a known repeat offender. Police have busted a racket involving the sale of a six-day-old infant for Rs5.5 lakh on August 6. 

Tip-Off from Social Activist Leads to Trap

According to the police, the breakthrough came after social activist Dr. Binu Verghese received a tip-off that Sameer was involved in the illegal sale of newborns. To confirm the information, Dr. Verghese enlisted the help of a Thane-based couple—Mayuri and her husband Lakshminarayan Vannam—who posed as potential buyers.

According to police sources, Sameer initially offered to sell a yet-to-be-born child for Rs4 lakh and demanded Rs50,000 in advance. The couple paid him Rs10,000 and stayed in contact. On August 6, Sameer informed them that a baby boy was immediately available and quoted Rs5.5 lakh for the sale.

Police Arrest Two Women at Lotus Junction

Dr. Verghese promptly alerted the police, who then laid a trap at Lotus Junction. During the operation, police arrested Nazima Aslam Shaikh alias Nasreen,35, and her mother Fatima Mehmoodali Shaikh,72, when they arrived with the newborn.

Infant’s Parentage and Hospital Link

Investigations revealed that the child belonged to a woman named Sumaiya Irfan Khan, Khan, who had delivered the baby on August 1 at S.N. Hospital, Shivajinagar. It later emerged that a nurse from a local hospital involved in handing over the infant to Nasreen and Fatima for sale. Both are believed to be connected to the larger trafficking network.

Larger Trafficking Network Suspected

The police are currently interrogating the arrested all seven accused—including five women—are currently in custody and conducting a thorough investigation into the broader network involved in trafficking newborns. Police suspect that Sameer had plans to sell more infants, and more arrests may follow.