A 26-year-old woman lawyer was molested and robbed inside an ATM in Mumbai’s Andheri East. The accused has been arrested. Here’s how police tracked him down.

Mumbai Shocker: Lawyer Molested and Robbed Inside ATM Booth; Accused Arrested Within 24 Hours

Mumbai | June 4, 2025 — By Rajneesh| Crime & Law Beat

In a deeply disturbing incident that has once again raised questions about women’s safety in urban spaces, a 29-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly molesting and robbing a 26-year-old woman lawyer inside an ATM booth near Andheri railway station in Mumbai.

The incident, which occurred at Agarkar Chowk in Andheri (East) around 8:40 PM on Tuesday, unfolded in a matter of minutes but left the city rattled over the vulnerability of public spaces presumed to be secure.

The accused, identified as Rohit Jadhav, a repeat petty offender with prior charges of theft and assault, was nabbed within 24 hours thanks to swift police action and the use of technical surveillance tools, including CCTV footage analysis and mobile tracking.

What Happened Inside the ATM?

The young lawyer, a resident of Powai, had just entered the ATM booth near Agarkar Chowk after exiting the Andheri local station on her way home. According to her statement, she had inserted her debit card and was mid-transaction when the accused, pretending to wait his turn, forced his way into the booth.

“He initially asked her to hurry, but as soon as the machine dispensed cash, he lunged forward, groped her, and forcibly snatched ₹2,000 from her hand,” said an officer from the MIDC Police Station, under whose jurisdiction the case falls.

The woman screamed and tried to fight him off, prompting the accused to flee on foot. CCTV footage from both the ATM and a nearby traffic signal captured his face and escape route, which played a crucial role in the arrest.

Manhunt and Arrest

Acting promptly on the FIR filed the same night, the Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch Unit IX launched an area-wide scan of ATM booths and homeless shelters, suspecting the accused was a transient.

Using facial recognition and movement mapping via CCTV, officers tracked the accused to a footpath near Ghatkopar station, where he was arrested early Wednesday morning.

Police officials confirmed that Jadhav had attempted to change clothes and ditch his phone, but had not left the city — a factor that aided his capture.

Legal Charges and Investigation Status

The accused has been booked under the following sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC):

  • Section 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty)

  • Section 392 (Robbery)

  • Section 506 (Criminal intimidation)

He is currently in police custody till June 7, as investigators verify if he has committed similar crimes in the past or is part of a larger group targeting isolated ATMs.

Security Gaps at the ATM Booth

This case has drawn attention to the lack of real-time monitoring at ATMs, especially in high-traffic areas like Andheri. Locals report that the booth’s security guard was absent, and no panic button or emergency helpline signage was available inside.

“This could’ve been prevented if basic safeguards were in place — a locked-door policy, an alert system, and active surveillance,” said activist and lawyer Meghna Desai, who is calling for ATM safety audits citywide.

Victim Speaks Out

The survivor, whose identity is being withheld for privacy, is receiving trauma counseling and legal assistance. In a brief statement issued via her lawyer, she said:

“No woman should feel unsafe while doing something as routine as withdrawing cash. I want this man punished, and I want the city to do better.”

Mumbai Police Responds

Senior police officials held a press briefing late Wednesday to reassure citizens. DCP (Zone X) Shashank Patil confirmed enhanced patrolling in ATM-heavy corridors and said:

“This is not just a robbery case. It’s a breach of dignity and public safety. We will ensure stronger surveillance and faster response mechanisms.”

Additionally, the Mumbai Police Cyber Cell has been directed to explore automated alerts from ATM booths during prolonged inactivity or emergency triggers.

Context: ATM Crimes in India

ATM-related crimes, particularly involving women, have been steadily rising in metros. In Mumbai alone, over 126 cases of thefts or assaults inside or near ATM premises were reported in 2024.

Experts recommend:

  • Entering ATMs only when they are well-lit and not isolated

  • Avoiding night-time transactions in sparsely populated areas

  • Using mobile-based withdrawal options to reduce physical cash use

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Urban Safety

The Andheri ATM assault is not an isolated incident — it’s a symptom of deeper urban infrastructure failures that ignore women's safety in everyday environments. While police action has been commendably swift, prevention must now be prioritized over post-incident reaction.

As Mumbai races toward becoming a “smart city,” it must also become a safe city — where a young woman can walk into an ATM and walk out with dignity and security intact.