Court Rejects Bail Plea of ACP Jitendra Navnit in Worli Minor Molestation Case

On July 13, 2026, a special POCSO court in Mumbai once again rejected the bail plea of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jitendra Navnit, who stands accused of molesting a nine-year-old girl at a garden in Worli. The court determined that the high-ranking police officer must remain in custody, ruling that his senior position within the police department poses a genuine threat of witness tampering.

The arrest of ACP Jitendra Navnit took place on April 24, 2026, following the alleged incident at the Worli garden. According to the police investigation, Navnit approached the nine-year-old child while she was playing in the public garden. The police alleged that he then performed an obscene act and forced the young victim to touch him inappropriately.

Immediately after the incident occurred, the victim's mother lodged a formal complaint with the police. Law enforcement officials acted quickly, arresting the Assistant Commissioner of Police within hours of the mother filing her complaint.

During the subsequent court proceedings, the prosecution and the lawyers representing the victim strongly opposed the bail application. They cited Navnit's senior position in the police force as a key reason to deny bail, pointing to the distinct possibility that he could use his influence to pressure crucial witnesses in the case.

In its decision to deny bail on July 13, the special POCSO court agreed with the arguments presented by the prosecution and the victim's legal team. The court observed that the prosecution's apprehension of witness tampering was "genuine and believable." Furthermore, the court ruled that the filing of the chargesheet did not constitute a change in circumstances that would warrant releasing the accused officer on bail.

As a result of the court's ruling, ACP Jitendra Navnit will remain in custody as the case against him proceeds.