A police team from West Bengal arrested a 47-year-old man in Dumka district on Monday for allegedly sexually abusing his 15-year-old daughter. The accused, employed with a private telecom company, had been posted in the neighboring state for several months. The arrest was made based on an FIR registered by his wife on May 31, officers said.
Background of the Case
The complainant stated that her daughter had been battling mental stress and depression for nearly a year. She was taken to a higher medical center in Tamil Nadu in April after initial treatment in Bengal. During psychiatric consultations, the survivor allegedly told doctors that her father had subjected her to repeated sexual abuse.
“The complaint stated that the accused repeatedly pressured and threatened his daughter and threatened to leave her mother if she revealed the abuse,” a police officer said, citing inputs from Bengal police. The complaint further stated that sustained threats and mental harassment pushed the survivor into depression, and she also attempted suicide earlier.
Legal Proceedings
Upon their return, the survivor’s mother filed a written complaint on May 31, following which police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. The accused was arrested by the Bengal police team with support from their Dumka counterparts, an officer said.
The accused was produced before a local court, after which police sought his transit remand and took him to Bengal for further legal proceedings, he added.
This case highlights the critical role of mental health professionals in uncovering abuse. The survivor’s disclosure during psychiatric treatment led to the legal action that resulted in the arrest. Authorities have emphasized the importance of reporting such crimes and providing support to victims.
