Cycle Shop Owner Arrested for Heinous Crime
In a shocking incident from Odisha's Jajpur district, police have taken into custody a 64-year-old man for the alleged sexual assault of a young girl. The arrest, which took place on Friday, followed a swift investigation triggered by a complaint from the victim's mother.
Details of the Alleged Assault
The traumatic event is reported to have occurred on Thursday evening. The 11-year-old survivor had visited the accused's cycle repair shop, located near her village, to get her bicycle fixed. It was there that the shop owner, exploiting the situation, allegedly dragged the child into his shop and molested her.
The victim's mother filed a First Information Report (FIR) the very next day, on Friday, setting the legal process in motion. The police acted promptly on the complaint, initiating an investigation that led to the quick identification and arrest of the suspect.
Legal Action and Judicial Custody
Law enforcement officials have booked the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Investigation officer Jyotimayee Sethi provided details of the subsequent judicial proceedings.
The arrested individual was presented before a local court on Friday itself. The court, considering the grave nature of the allegations, denied his bail application. Consequently, he has been remanded to judicial custody.
This case highlights the critical importance of the POCSO Act in dealing with crimes against children and underscores the need for continued vigilance in communities to protect minors. The prompt action by the family and the police ensures the legal process is now underway.
