A deeply disturbing incident has emerged from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, where a 15-year-old Class 8 student allegedly drugged her own family with sleeping pills to secretly meet a 22-year-old male neighbour. The matter came to light after the girl's vigilant parents caught her in the act, leading to the registration of a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the accused youth late on Saturday.
The Unfolding Suspicion and a Family's Plan
The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Gulriha police station. The minor girl lives with her mother and elderly grandmother. Her father works as a painter in Mumbai and had returned home about a month ago. Upon his return, he grew concerned about his daughter's changed behaviour. He noticed she was constantly glued to her mobile phone and would frequently disappear from the house.
The situation took a stranger turn during the family's dinner routine. Shortly after eating their meals, the parents and grandmother would feel unusually and overwhelmingly sleepy. The father's suspicions grew, and upon discussing it with the family, they realized all of them had been experiencing the same drowsiness post-dinner. This pattern raised a major red flag.
The Night of the Sting Operation
On January 3, the parents decided to investigate. They pretended to eat dinner and then faked falling asleep. Around 11:30 PM, their suspicions were confirmed when they saw their daughter quietly leaving the house, wrapped in a shawl. The parents discreetly followed her as she walked approximately 200 metres to the neighbour's house and entered it.
The parents confronted the scene, finding their 15-year-old daughter inside a room with the 22-year-old youth. The shocking discovery validated their worst fears about the source of their unexplained sleepiness.
Legal Repercussions and Aftermath
The family immediately reported the entire incident to the local police. Based on their complaint, the authorities have registered a case under the stringent POCSO Act against the accused neighbour. The case highlights extreme risks associated with adolescent grooming and the lengths to which minors can be manipulated.
This alarming event in Gorakhpur serves as a critical reminder for parents to maintain open communication with their children and be observant of sudden behavioural changes. It also underscores the vital role of community vigilance and prompt police action in safeguarding minors from potential exploitation.
