Kolkata, November 10, 2026: An Indian Army jawan has been arrested for allegedly molesting the minor daughter of an Army officer inside a military residential complex in Kolkata. The accused, who was reportedly deployed on security duty at the complex, was taken into custody by Hastings Police Station on Sunday night following a complaint lodged by the girl’s mother.
According to police, the alleged incident took place on the afternoon of November 5 when the minor girl, reportedly aged 11, had gone to a park inside the military residential complex to play with other children.
The accused jawan, identified in some local media reports as Mohit Pathan, allegedly approached the girl and made inappropriate advances towards her. When the child resisted, he allegedly forcibly picked her up and sexually assaulted her.
Police said the girl sustained injuries to her lips during the alleged assault. Some reports claimed that the accused bit the child’s lips. The girl screamed for help, following which the jawan allegedly released her.
Security personnel stationed near the park rushed to the spot after hearing the child’s cries. The girl reportedly narrated the incident to them before informing her mother, who subsequently approached the police and lodged a formal complaint.
Following the complaint, Kolkata Police launched an investigation and examined CCTV footage from the military residential complex. Investigators also recorded statements from security personnel who were present near the park when the incident allegedly occurred.
Based on the CCTV footage and witness statements, police identified the accused jawan and arrested him on Sunday night.
The minor girl was taken to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata for a medical examination. Police have also seized the clothes she was wearing at the time of the alleged incident for forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
The accused was subsequently produced before a city court, reportedly Bankshall Court, which remanded him to police custody for further questioning.
Investigators are also examining how the jawan allegedly reached the park while he was reportedly assigned security duties elsewhere within the residential complex.
Given that the complainant is a minor, police are examining the applicability of relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The Indian Army has not issued an official statement regarding the incident so far. Separate departmental action against the accused jawan may also be considered, depending on the findings of the investigation.
The alleged incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of children and families residing inside secured military residential complexes, particularly because the accused was reportedly entrusted with security responsibilities.
Police are continuing their investigation, including examining forensic evidence, CCTV recordings and witness statements, to establish the sequence of events.
The allegations against the jawan remain under investigation, and no finding of guilt has been made by a court.
