Nagpur: A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against a 58-year-old sweet shop owner following an allegation of inappropriate physical contact with a 12-year-old girl in the Juna Kamptee police station area.

The accused has been identified as Vinod Surajmal Sharma (58). Police said he is currently absconding and efforts are underway to trace him.

According to police, the case was registered as Crime No. 631/2026 under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act, 2012.

Girl allegedly called into shop

According to the complaint, the minor lives with her family in the Juna Kamptee police station area. On September 14, 2026, around 9 pm, her mother sent her to a nearby grocery shop to purchase household items.

While returning home, Sharma allegedly called the girl into his sweet shop. Police said the accused allegedly spoke to her about her studies and subsequently made inappropriate physical contact with her inside the shop.

The girl allegedly became frightened following the incident and returned home.

Girl later disclosed incident to mother

After reaching home, the girl reportedly told her mother about the incident. As the accused was known to the family, the mother initially did not inform the girl’s father, according to the complaint.

However, after noticing that the girl remained frightened and anxious, her father questioned his wife and learnt about the alleged incident. The family subsequently decided to approach the police.

Complaint filed on September 19

The girl’s mother took her to the Juna Kamptee police station at around 8:30 pm on September 19, where a complaint was lodged. Police registered a case and launched an investigation.

Police said Sharma went absconding after the case was registered and efforts are being made to locate him.