Two Minor Girls Allegedly Raped in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich District: Arrests Made

In a disturbing series of events reported from Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district, two minor girls were allegedly raped in different villages last week. The incidents, which occurred under the Motipur and Fakharpur police station jurisdictions, came to light recently, and the accused have been apprehended.

The First Incident

On August 1, a nine-year-old girl was raped in a village under the Motipur police station. Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Pavitra Mohan Tripathi reported that a complaint was lodged by the girl’s uncle. The case has been registered under Section 65/2 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Initially, the age of the accused was thought to be 15; however, further investigation confirmed he is 19 years old. Consequently, legal action is being taken against him as an adult.

The Second Incident

The second incident took place in a village under the Fakharpur police station, where a 12-year-old girl was raped on her way home from school. Station House Officer (SHO) Abhinav Pratap Singh stated that the accused had threatened the girl and forcibly taken her to a sugarcane field where the crime occurred. Although the family initially hesitated to report the incident due to social stigma, they were eventually convinced by a social worker to lodge a complaint. The case was registered under Sections 65/1 and 351/3 of the BNS and pertinent clauses of the POCSO Act. Using CCTV footage from a nearby hospital, the accused was identified and subsequently arrested early Sunday.

These incidents highlight the pressing issue of sexual violence against minors and the importance of stringent legal measures. With both accused now in police custody, the cases underscore the need for community vigilance and support systems to protect children from such heinous crimes.