A 17-year-old girl from Mumbai's eastern suburbs has approached the police, alleging sexual harassment by her school’s lab assistant in 2022, during her Std 10 school picnic. The victim, Soni Mhatre (name changed), now a Std 12 student, attended a Chembur-based school at the time of the incident. Speaking to mid-day, she recounted her ordeal, stating that the incident occurred on November 17, 2022, during a school picnic at Shaguna Baug in Karjat. During the lunch break, while heading to the washroom, the accused allegedly jumped in front of her, grabbed her neck chain, and inquired if it was real gold.

“He then touched my back, neck, chest, and private parts. I stood there blankly, unable to process what had happened. I was too scared to tell anyone, not even my friends or family. I bottled it all up and gradually realised I was slipping into depression. However, with my Std 10 board exams approaching, I decided to wait until they were over to inform my parents. However, I never mustered the courage, fearing it would bring shame to them,” recounted the victim.