A 60-year-old man from Akola district has been on the run since Tuesday after being accused of repeatedly raping his 10-year-old neighbour for a week. The incident has sent shockwaves through a state already reeling from the recent Nasrapur rape-and-murder of a three-year-old girl.
Search Operation Underway
Three to four police teams are actively searching for the accused, a resident of Patur taluka in the district. Akola Superintendent of Police Archit Chandak confirmed that a search operation is in progress. 'We are scouring the nearby forest area for the accused,' Chandak said.
Details of the Abuse
The survivor's parents, who work as daily-wage labourers, were away at work when the sexual abuse occurred. According to police, the accused repeatedly exploited the child's vulnerability in their absence. The survivor, initially too terrified to speak, finally narrated her ordeal to her parents on Tuesday, May 5. The family immediately approached Channi police, and a case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police Response
By the time police moved in, the accused had fled the village. Police have deployed personnel in the village to prevent unrest, with teams stationed along the forest periphery since the night of May 5. 'The situation is under control, and locals are cooperating with the investigation. Our teams have been stationed around the forest, and we expect an arrest shortly,' Chandak added.
Medical Examination and Investigation
The survivor has been sent for a medical examination, and her statement is being recorded. The case is being investigated by Channi police.
Context of Rising Outrage
The Akola incident comes just days after a 65-year-old man in Nasrapur village of Pune's Bhor taluka allegedly raped and murdered a three-year-old girl. That case triggered massive protests and a shutdown across Pune district, reigniting demands for fast-tracking the Shakti Act, which prescribes the death penalty for child rape and murder.
