3 hrs ago
Mumbai Man Arrested After Allegedly Traveling to Meet Blocked Minor
Police arrested a 31-year-old man named Preet Pankaj Jain.
They say he traveled from Mumbai to the United States to see a 17-year-old girl.
The girl had reportedly stopped talking to him and blocked him online.
An Uber driver became worried and contacted police.
Officers questioned Jain before he could meet the girl.
Police say they found messages between them on several social-media platforms.
Investigators also allege that Jain had pretended to be younger than he was.
He faces nine charges, but the allegations have not been proven in court.
A judge ordered him held without bond, and his next hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2026.
Preet Pankaj Jain, 31, allegedly traveled from Mumbai to the United States to contact a 17-year-old girl who had blocked him online.
An Uber driver alerted police after taking Jain to the girl’s home and becoming concerned about his intentions.
Police allege Jain communicated with the girl for about two years through Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.
Investigators reportedly found that Jain had concealed his age and identity, allegedly pretending to be underage online.
Jain faces nine charges, was ordered held without bond, and is due back in court on October 6, 2026.
- Who
- Preet Pankaj Jain, a 31-year-old Mumbai resident, and an unnamed 17-year-old girl.
- What
- Jain was arrested and charged after allegedly traveling to contact the girl, whom police say he had met online.
- Where
- Reports identify the location as Davidson County, but they conflict on whether it is in Tennessee or North Carolina.
- When
- Police say the incident occurred on September 24, 2026; Jain appeared in court on September 25, and his next hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2026.
- Why
- Police allege Jain traveled there after the girl ended communication and blocked him on social media.
Key facts
- Suspect
- Preet Pankaj Jain, 31
- Girl’s age
- 17
- Reported travel distance
- 13,374 kilometres from Mumbai to North Carolina, according to one report
- Reported incident date
- September 24, 2026
- Charges
- Four counts of first-degree and four counts of third-degree sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor, plus one sexual-extortion-related charge
- Custody status
- Held without bond
- Next hearing
- October 6, 2026
Sources
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