Powai flasher case: Serial molester held, had many complaints against him

Devgare seen in a CCTV grab; mid-day's report on July 14

Even after securing bail in a molestation case, this 27-year-old could not evade arrest for long. Reason: he is a serial offender.
Accused Kalpesh Devgare, who was arrested on Tuesday night for flashing three college girls in Powai last week, has 12 similar cases registered against him at different police stations in the city.

Also read: Mumbai cops hunt for pervert who came, flashed and disappeared

Officers came to know about his background after the Govandi police arrested him on July 13 for flashing a young woman while she was on her way to college. He had, however, managed to get bail in the case two days later. As the Powai case had taken place the same day, the local police station had launched a manhunt.

Accused Kalpesh Devgare

Search for same accused
While looking for him, the Powai police came across CCTV footage that had captured him in the act. That's when the Govandi police learnt that their counterparts in Powai were looking for the same man. The former then called up Devgare and asked him to collect his bike from the police station. When he reached there, the Powai officers, who were waiting, arrested him.

Also read: Mumbai: Flasher exposes himself to married woman, gets arrested

Following his arrest, the police got to know that Devgare was previously charged with molestation, kidnapping and flashing girls. Cases against him have been registered at Vakola, Dindoshi, Parksite, Ghatkopar, Govandi, Deonar, Malad and other police stations.

The police also revealed that he used to buy and sell second-hand vehicles.

Multiple cases
Speaking to mid-day, senior inspector of Govandi police station Uttam Kolekar said, "In the course of the investigation, we came to know that there are a dozen similar cases registered against him. The Powai police have taken him into their custody."