Pune: IIT Kharagpur Student Arrested for Rape of 13-Year-Old Girl in Thane
Thane, June 13, 2025: A 23-year-old third-year student from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has been arrested by Kalwa police in Thane for allegedly raping a 13-year-old differently abled girl. The accused, identified as Adwait Khochare, was apprehended on Thursday following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother.
According to police, Khochare, who was home in Thane on a study break, allegedly lured the minor with promises of new clothes before sexually assaulting her. The incident came to light when the girl confided in her mother, who works as a ragpicker. Acting on her complaint, police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Information Technology Act.
During the investigation, authorities recovered a video of the assault from Khochare’s mobile phone. The device also contained objectionable images and videos of other girls, raising concerns that the accused may have targeted additional victims in the past. Police have expanded their probe to identify any further survivors.
Khochare was produced before a local court on Thursday and remanded to five days of police custody as the investigation continues.
