Rajkot: A 52-year-old businessman in Talala town of Gir Somnath district was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing his two daughters, one of them being a minor, and his two underage nieces, over a period of four years.The complaint was filed by the 50-year-old wife of the accused at Talala police station on Saturday. Based on the complaint, the accused was charged under BNS, along with different sections of the Pocso Act.According to the FIR, the accused allegedly molested the girls at their residence as well as at several other locations over the years. Police said the accused’s own daughters are aged 17 and 24, while his wife’s sister’s daughters, who were also allegedly targeted, are 15 and 16 years old.Veraval division deputy superintendent of police, Chetan Khatana, told TOI that the accused was produced before a court on Sunday which sent him to jail. As part of the investigation, police have seized his mobile phone, clothing and other personal items for forensic examination.Preliminary questioning revealed that the accused was a businessman engaged in leasing mango orchards and hotels and was also involved in land dealings. Investigators have begun recording statements from the girls and are pursuing further leads in the case.Police sources said the accused’s wife grew suspicious of her husband’s conduct over the past three to four months but had initially found it difficult to believe that a father could behave inappropriately with his own daughters. It was only after she verified the facts on her own that she decided to approach the police.Police said the investigation was ongoing and further details are expected as statements are recorded and evidence is analysed.
