French Consulate Staffer Recounts Chilling Chase and Molestation in Bandra
In a disturbing incident that has rattled Mumbai’s upscale Bandra West neighborhood, a 27-year-old French woman employed at the French Consulate here became the target of a brazen molestation attack late on November 8. The victim, returning home just past midnight, described a harrowing encounter with her assailant, who pursued her relentlessly before carrying out the assault and fleeing the scene.
According to her account provided to the Khar Police, the stranger—later identified as 25-year-old Sunil Waghela—trailed her on a scooter from a distance before abruptly pulling up beside her. “He chased me, stopped next to me,” she recounted in her complaint, capturing the sudden terror of the moment. Before she could respond, Waghela allegedly molested her and accelerated away, leaving her shaken on the quiet road.
Authorities acted swiftly upon receiving the formal complaint on Saturday. Within a remarkable 24 hours, the Khar Police team pieced together evidence from more than 50 CCTV recordings in the vicinity. Despite some footage being overwritten, investigators recovered crucial clips depicting Waghela shadowing the woman on his two-wheeler. A key breakthrough came from noting the scooter’s registration number, which led them directly to his residence in Dharavi, Mumbai’s densely packed slum area. Officers seized the vehicle used in the crime and took Waghela into custody.
A senior officer from Khar police station revealed that the probe suggests the accused may have been observing the victim for several days prior. “We have video evidence of him following her on the scooter, halting briefly beside her, and then fleeing after the act,” the officer stated. “His presence in Bandra at such a late hour raises questions, and we’re delving into his background to uncover any pattern of stalking.”
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Given the victim’s status as a foreign national, the police assembled dedicated units to handle the case with sensitivity and urgency. A formal FIR was lodged under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—the revamped Indian Penal Code—encompassing charges of assault or criminal force to outrage a woman’s modesty. As the investigation unfolds, officers continue to scrutinize Waghela’s history for potential prior offenses, aiming to prevent similar threats in the city.
This episode underscores ongoing concerns about women’s safety in urban India, particularly for expatriates navigating familiar streets after dark. The rapid arrest offers a measure of reassurance, but it also highlights the need for enhanced surveillance and quicker response mechanisms in high-traffic areas like Bandra. The French Consulate has yet to issue an official statement, though sources indicate support for the victim’s cooperation with local law enforcement.