Valsad, November 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A 21-year-old man has been arrested in Gujarat’s Valsad district for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl and threatening to circulate photographs of the incident to extort Rs 2.61 lakh in cash and gold ornaments worth around Rs 43.48 lakh, police said on Monday.
The accused, identified as Dhruvil Patel, a resident of Shankartalav Mandir Faliya, was arrested by Dungri police on October 29, around 10 days after the girl’s family lodged a complaint. According to the complaint, he allegedly took the girl to a hotel on Tithal Road on August 31 and September 26, sexually assaulted her and photographed the incident. He allegedly used threats to circulate the photographs to pressure her into bringing cash and jewellery from home.
Police said Patel allegedly obtained Rs 2.61 lakh in cash on different occasions and gold ornaments weighing around 32.4 tolas, valued at Rs 43.48 lakh. A case was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
During police remand, investigators recovered gold ornaments weighing approximately 15.33 tolas, valued at Rs 19.54 lakh, along with Rs 5,000 in cash and a mobile phone worth Rs 5,000. A SIM card and diary were also seized. The total value of the recovered property was estimated at Rs 19.64 lakh.
Police said the accused was traced following technical analysis and a tip-off received by Assistant Sub-Inspector Hirenbhai Patel. Further investigation is underway.
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