Infant Abducted and Raped by Minor in Uttar Pradesh
A 12-year-old boy allegedly watched pornography before abducting a sleeping infant from her home in Uttar Pradesh, according to police reports. The infant was found approximately 500 meters from the house near a tin shed in a field on Saturday morning, bleeding and in severe pain.
The incident took place in the state's Badaun district, where the victim's family had left her sleeping on a cot outside their home. The accused, a neighbor, took the infant to a secluded area and raped her. The minor was taken into custody by police and sent to a juvenile home.
Details of the Incident
According to police officials, the accused confessed to watching pornographic content on a mobile phone before the crime. The infant was immediately rushed to a hospital, where her condition is reported to be stable but critical. The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
"The accused has been apprehended and is being questioned. He admitted to watching porn before committing the act," said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity. The officer added that the boy's family has been informed, and further investigation is underway to determine if he had access to explicit material through any adult in the household.
Community and Legal Response
The incident has sparked outrage in the local community, with residents demanding stricter action against the minor. Legal experts note that under the POCSO Act, juveniles aged 16-18 can be tried as adults for heinous crimes, but the accused in this case is only 12, which places him under the Juvenile Justice Act. The maximum penalty for a minor of this age is three years in a special home.
Child rights activists have called for a deeper probe into the influence of online pornography on minors. "This case highlights the urgent need for digital literacy and parental controls to protect children from harmful content," said activist Neha Singh.
Statistics on Child Sexual Abuse in India
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 1,500 cases of child rape were reported in Uttar Pradesh in 2024, the highest in the country. Nationwide, cases of child sexual abuse have been rising, with the NCRB reporting a 15% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The infant's family has demanded justice and stricter laws to prevent such incidents. The police have assured a thorough investigation and have urged the public not to take the law into their own hands.
