Rajkot: Two brothers have been booked for allegedly raping and molesting two minor girls in separate incidents. Two complaints were filed at Paddhari police station in Rajkot district by the guardians of the victims on Sunday.
Accused Identified
According to police, the complaints are against Parag Rathod and Dhaval Rathod, sons of a village sarpanch in Paddhari taluka. The first complaint was registered against Parag Rathod under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 137 (2), 65 (1), 78 (2), 351(3), and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act Sections 4(2), 11(4), 12 by the father of a 12-year-old girl.
Details of First Case
As per the complaint, Parag contacted the girl through social media and pressured her to communicate via video call. He later took her to a secluded spot in Paddhari town and allegedly raped her. He threatened to kill her father and brother if she disclosed the crime. The girl became traumatized, and when her family inquired about her withdrawn behavior, she revealed the incident.
Investigating officer M G Chauhan said, “We have arrested Parag Rathod. He was previously married and has two children who live with him. We have collected the clothes of the victim and accused, and conducted medical examinations of both.”
Second Case Against Brother
Parag’s brother, Dhaval Rathod, has been booked under BNS Sections 78 (1), 78(2), 351(3), and Pocso Act Sections 11(4), 12. The mother of a 14-year-old girl alleged that Dhaval contacted her daughter through social media, stalked her whenever she went to the market or school, and pressured her to maintain a friendship. What started as messaging escalated to harassment. The girl tried to ignore Dhaval, but he continued to harass her and allegedly threatened to kill her father.
Police are investigating both cases further.
