A shocking case of prolonged sexual abuse of a minor has come to light in a village under Telhara taluka of Maharashtra's Akola district. Police revealed on Thursday that a 12-year-old girl was allegedly subjected to repeated assaults by three men known to her, including her own biological father.
Workshop on Student Safety Leads to Disclosure
The horrific ordeal, which had reportedly been continuing for the past six months, was finally disclosed by the brave survivor in a unique chain of events linked to a government awareness drive. The state's Women and Child Development Department had organised a workshop for women teachers on student safety in Telhara on December 22 as part of a 100-day public awareness programme.
A teacher from a Zilla Parishad school, who attended this workshop, later conducted a counselling session at her village school. It was during this sensitive session that the minor victim gathered the courage to approach the educator and narrate the alleged abuse she was suffering, prompting immediate and decisive action.
Swift Action by Authorities and Police
The alert teacher promptly informed the school headmaster, who then escalated the matter to the block education officer and the primary education officer. The case was swiftly brought to the notice of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Acting on the CWC's directions, a formal police complaint was filed without any delay.
Based on the complaint lodged by the school headmaster, Telhara police registered a case against the girl's father, her uncle, and a 67-year-old neighbour. The charges were filed under the stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act along with other relevant sections of the law.
Arrests Made and Hunt for Third Accused
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the police have already arrested two of the accused. The girl's biological father and the elderly 67-year-old neighbour are now in custody. A search operation has been launched to trace and apprehend the third accused, the victim's uncle, who is currently absconding.
"Two accused have been arrested, and further investigation is underway. Efforts are on to apprehend the third accused," confirmed a police officer involved in the case. The intervention by the teacher, following the safety workshop, proved crucial in breaking the cycle of abuse and bringing the perpetrators to book.
