Beed Shopkeeper, 62, Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault on 10-Year-Old Girl
In a disturbing incident from Maharashtra, the Parli rural police in Beed district have arrested a 62-year-old shopkeeper for allegedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl. The arrest was made on Sunday following a complaint filed by the minor's mother, who reported that the accused lured her daughter under the pretext of offering snacks in his shop before committing the assault on March 18.
Police Action and Investigation Details
Beed Superintendent of Police (SP) Navneet Kanwat confirmed that an offence has been registered and the accused was promptly arrested. "We arrested the shopkeeper immediately after receiving the complaint. Further investigation is in progress," SP Kanwat stated. According to police reports, the girl was heading alone towards a flour mill when the accused approached her.
The suspect then took the girl to his shop by promising to offer her snacks. He sexually assaulted her inside the shop and warned of dire consequences if she revealed about the incident to anyone, a police officer detailed. The accused allegedly attempted to approach the girl again on Sunday, which prompted her to disclose the previous assault to her family, leading to the police complaint and subsequent arrest.
Legal Charges and Court Proceedings
Parli rural police have registered the offence under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The charges include:
- Sections 64 (1) and 64 (2) for punishments related to rape
- Section 65 (2) for punishment of rape committed on a woman under 12 years of age
- Section 74 for assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty
- Section 75 (2) for sexual harassment
- Section 351 (2) for criminal intimidation
- Sections 4, 6, 8, and 12 of the POCSO Act
The accused is scheduled to be produced before the local court on Monday, as confirmed by the officer speaking to TOI. This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address crimes against minors and ensure justice under stringent legal frameworks.
