Mumbai Crime: Minor Girl Abused Over Emoji in College WhatsApp Group; Case Registered Under POCSO Act

An obscene abuse incident has come to light involving a Class 11 student who was allegedly harassed and verbally abused by a fellow classmate over an emoji sent in their college’s WhatsApp group. The Nirmal Nagar Police have registered a case under the charges of molestation and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the minor accused.

According to police officials, both the complainant and the accused are minors studying in the same class.

As per the complaint lodged by the 16-year-old victim, a voice message was sent by a student on the group on April 2. In response, the girl replied with a vomiting emoji. Offended by this reaction, the accused allegedly called the girl and abused her using obscene language through voice messages and chats.

The girl, mentally disturbed due to continuous harassment, approached the Nirmal Nagar Police Station and filed a complaint. The police registered a case under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 12 of the POCSO Act after verifying the voice messages and chat content.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had repeatedly tried to contact the girl and continued to harass her. All students involved, including the accused and the victim, are part of the same WhatsApp group and study in Class 11.

Police have initiated further investigation, and appropriate action is being taken considering the sensitivity of the case.