A harrowing case of abduction, sexual assault, and forced abortion involving a 17-year-old orphan girl has come to light in Madhya Pradesh, sending shockwaves through the community. The survivor's months-long ordeal, allegedly perpetrated by a neighbour, was revealed during a counselling session at a shelter home, prompting swift police action.
From Intimidation to Captivity: A Timeline of Abuse
The nightmare began in early 2024 when a neighbour, identified as Atul Maravi, intimidated the minor girl into a so-called "friendship." The survivor lives with her maternal grandmother in a multi-storey housing complex. The situation escalated dramatically on Diwali 2024, when Maravi allegedly threatened the girl and forcibly took her to his native village in Raisen district.
There, he pressured her grandmother to join them and performed a child marriage ceremony against the minor's will, in the presence of his family. Following this illegal marriage, Maravi held the girl captive and subjected her to repeated sexual assaults, which resulted in a pregnancy.
Forced Abortion and Concealed Trauma
When Maravi's family discovered the pregnancy, they reportedly forced her to undergo an abortion. The procedure led to medical complications, for which her grandmother later sought treatment. Despite the severe physical and psychological trauma, the abuse remained hidden from authorities for months.
The case finally began to unravel in July 2025 after a physical altercation erupted between the survivor's family and Atul Maravi. The clash left Maravi injured and led to police cases being filed from both sides. As a named accused in this brawl, the minor girl was sent to a girls' reform home in Vidisha.
Breakdown During Counselling Reveals Full Horror
It was during a counselling session conducted by the Child Welfare Committee at the Vidisha shelter home that the girl broke down and recounted the full extent of her horrific ordeal. She detailed the abduction on Diwali, the forced marriage in Raisen, the repeated rapes during her captivity, and the subsequent forced abortion.
Based on her statement, Habibganj police have registered a case against Atul Maravi under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act. The charges include abduction, rape, forced abortion, child marriage, and criminal conspiracy. Police are conducting raids to arrest the accused, who is currently absconding.
Investigation Widens, More Accused Likely
Officers investigating the case have indicated that the number of accused could increase as the probe progresses. Authorities are examining the roles of Maravi's family members in facilitating both the illegal child marriage and the forced abortion. Their involvement in holding the minor captive is also under scrutiny.
This tragic case highlights the extreme vulnerabilities faced by orphaned children and underscores the critical role of institutional counselling in uncovering hidden crimes. The survivor remains under care and protection at the reform home as the legal process seeks justice for the atrocities she endured.
