Mumbai New Year mob molestation case: Photojournalists identify 14 accused

The two photojournalists of the Hindustan Times, who had taken photographs of the incident of the Juhu mob molestation incident that took place on New Year eve, identified 14 people accused of being involved in the incident during an identification parade, which was held at the premises of the Arthur Road Jail on Saturday.

Mumbai, Jan 5 : The two photojournalists of the Hindustan Times, who had taken photographs of the incident of the Juhu mob molestation incident that took place on New Year eve, identified 14 people accused of being involved in the incident during an identification parade, which was held at the premises of the Arthur Road Jail on Saturday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amarjeet Singh, who had reached the spot when a mob of 70 to 80 men molested two ladies after they came out of J W Marriot hotel on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1, also identified the accused.

The 14 accused in the case, filed by Mumbai Police after the photographs generated a public outcry, have been charged with outraging modesty of women and unlawful assembly, and could face imprisonment up to a year.

Earlier in the day, Singh's driver and a constable accompanying him recorded their statements before a Special Executive Magistrate.

The case made a first breakthrough when two of the accused - Ravi Shukla and Nilesh - surrendered at the Juhu Police Station, which later led to a chain of arrests in the city.

"The photos confirm the presence of four of the men who have been arrested. Others who have been detained have confessed to being a part of the mob, but say that they did not molest the women. These men have been charged with unlawful assembly," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), K L Prasad.

He also informed about more impending arrests as there were two to three different groups of men who molested the women.

The 14 youths who were arrested on Thursday night were granted bail by a local court at Andheri on Friday.

However, since they couldn't furnish a surety and a personal bond of Rs 10,000, they were lodged at Arthur Road jail.

Terming the incident as a "sensitive'' case, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil on Friday said that his government would seek setting up of a fast-track court for a speedy trial.

Meanwhile, the two prime accused in the case are still absconding.

ANI