82-Year-Old Retired Teacher Arrested for Alleged Rape of 6-Year-Old Girl in Bareilly Village
In a deeply disturbing incident that has shocked the community, an 82-year-old man was arrested on Thursday for allegedly raping a six-year-old girl in a village located within Bareilly district. The police officially confirmed the arrest on Friday, revealing that the accused is a retired school teacher.
Details of the Alleged Crime
The horrific event is reported to have occurred on Monday. According to police statements, the young victim was playing with other children in the village when the elderly man allegedly lured her to a secluded spot near the village by offering her chocolates. It was at this isolated location that he is accused of committing the rape.
Neighbor's Intervention and Video Evidence
A neighbor, noticing the girl's prolonged absence from the play area, went searching for her. Upon locating the scene, the neighbor witnessed the alleged act in progress. Instead of immediately intervening or calling for help, the individual recorded a video of the incident on a mobile device.
This video was later shared with the child's father. After viewing the footage, the father immediately alerted other family members, which set in motion the formal complaint process.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
Based on the family's complaint, a First Information Report (FIR) was promptly registered. The case has been filed under multiple stringent sections of the law, reflecting the gravity of the offense:
- Sections 65(2) for rape on a girl under 12 years of age and 351(2) for criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- Sections 5(m) and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
- Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, likely pertaining to the recording and sharing of the video evidence.
Bareilly Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anurag Arya provided further details on the arrest. "The accused fled the scene initially but was later apprehended within the village itself," SSP Arya stated. "During subsequent questioning, he identified himself as a retired school teacher."
Scrutiny on the Neighbor's Actions
In a significant development, police officials indicated that the neighbor who recorded the video is also under scrutiny. Authorities are investigating why the individual chose to film the incident rather than seek immediate help or inform the police directly at the time. This aspect of the case adds a complex layer regarding bystander responsibility and the use of digital evidence.
The identity of the minor victim has been strictly protected in accordance with Supreme Court directives governing the reporting of sexual assault cases, ensuring her privacy and dignity are maintained.
