‘Messages seeking sexual relations’: Man arrested for stalking, harassing woman colleague in Mumbai

MUMBAI: Mumbai Police have arrested Ashraf, an employee of a private company, for allegedly sexually harassing and stalking a woman colleague by sending her obscene messages.According to a senior Mumbai Police official, the victim works as a third-party tele-caller for a corporate firm, and the accused is employed at the same company.An FIR was registered on Thursday under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 78(2) (stalking) and 79 (insulting the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000.According to the victim’s statement, the accused repeatedly sent her messages soliciting sexual relations, along with obscene images, and used derogatory language about her female colleagues.As per the FIR, the harassment began on April 21 after he obtained her phone number and allegedly started sending obscene messages and making voice calls. He also allegedly demanded sexual favours.Further investigation is underway.(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)(With agency inputs)