Botad District Minor Rape Case: Nine Accused, Eight Arrested Under POCSO Act
A disturbing case involving the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl from Gadhada taluka in Botad district has been registered by Gadhada police, with nine individuals named as accused. The case has been filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, highlighting the serious nature of the charges.
Details of the Case and Police Action
According to Botad DSP Maharshi Rawal, the victim is a minor, and the accused allegedly exploited her innocence. Police investigations reveal that the girl was taken to various locations by different individuals at different times, where she was subjected to sexual assault. Preliminary findings suggest a similar incident may have occurred approximately six months ago, indicating a pattern of abuse.
In a swift response, police have arrested eight of the accused: Dhuli Rathod, Suresh Rathod, Shoaib Chauhan, Urvesh Ghorpade, Alpesh Mehta, Akash Parmar, Ajay Maru, and Pintu Padhiar. The ninth accused, Hamir Dangar, has not been arrested in this case as he is currently incarcerated in connection with a separate assault case.
Exploitation of Vulnerabilities and Investigation Progress
Police reports indicate that the victim would often leave home due to psychological issues, a vulnerability that the accused allegedly exploited. They reportedly gained her trust by showing sympathy before committing the crimes, a tactic that underscores the predatory nature of the offenses.
The victim is currently undergoing counselling and comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation to support her recovery. Meanwhile, police are actively collecting scientific evidence as part of the ongoing investigation to build a strong case against the accused.
This case has drawn significant attention to child protection laws in India, with authorities emphasizing the importance of strict enforcement of the POCSO Act to safeguard minors from such heinous crimes.
