Nagpur: Bhandara in eastern Vidarbha remained restive for over 48 hours after a 30-year-old man was nabbed for trying to sexually assault a three-and-half-year-old girl in a public toilet near an anganwadi in Ambedkar ward on Thursday afternoon. Police said the accused was a serial offender and had been arrested thrice for similar crimes, including targeting a toddler in 2025.The accused, Rohit Wasnik, was nearly lynched by a mob, before police took him into custody. He inflicted injuries on himself and had to be shifted under heavy security to a Nagpur hospital. As per police, the girl, who attends the anganwadi, went alone to a public toilet on Thursday after her mother briefly stepped away to attend to her younger sibling. Wasnik allegedly sneaked into the toilet, locked it from inside and tried to assault the child. The mother returned within minutes, heard the girl’s cries and raised an alarm. A crowd gathered, dragged Wasnik out and thrashed him before police took him into custody.The town was wracked by protests, forcing the govt to swiftly dispatch inspector general of police Sandip Patil to take charge of the situation in Bhandara. He held an emergency meeting, ordered additional deployment of riot-control personnel, and directed intensified community outreach. Patil announced the formation of a special investigation team to be headed by a woman deputy superintendent of police and recommended appointment of a special public prosecutor.Wasnik is a known offender. In 2022 he was charged with molestation. Three years later, he was again arrested for sexually abusing a four-year-old girl. After his release, sources said, Wasnik began targeting other children in the area.In police custody, Wasnik inflicted severe injuries on himself and had to be referred to the govt hospital in Bhandara, where a mob raised slogans and insisted the accused be handed over to them. The situation grew tense and police had to reinforce security, before he was moved to a Nagpur hospital.Talking to reporters, IG Patil said 80% investigation had been completed. “We will scrutinise remaining points and file a chargesheet within a week. The accused would be discharged from hospital shortly, formally arrested, and produced in court in police escort,” he said. Bhandara police have been placed on high alert for the next 48 hours.The survivor underwent medical examination, and legal formalities are being completed. “Police assured the probe will be thorough and no leniency will be shown,” said IG Patil.MLC Neelam Gorhe demands swift action, statewide child safety planShiv Sena MLC Dr Neelam Gorhe has written to Maharashtra DGP demanding strict, time-bound and exemplary action in the Bhandara case involving the attempted rape of a three-year-old girl. Gorhe said stringent provisions of POCSO Act should be invoked, and a special public prosecutor be appointed for fast-track trial.Gorhe urged police commissioners and SPs across the state to follow a ‘zero delay, zero negligence, zero tolerance’ approach, ensure scientific evidence collection and timely charge-sheets. She also sought immediate medical, psychological, legal and security support for the child and her family. She also demanded a statewide child safety action plan for schools, anganwadis, parks and public spaces.
