Police in Jalandhar have registered a serious case against a man for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl and then brazenly revealing her identity on the internet. The accused, identified as Gurpreet Singh, also known as Gopi, is currently evading arrest.
Chilling Details of the Assault and Online Harassment
The incident came to light after the father of the 17-year-old victim filed a formal complaint at the local police station. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the traumatic event occurred on March 10. The complainant stated that Gurpreet Singh sexually assaulted his minor daughter.
In a shocking escalation that added cyber victimization to the physical crime, the accused later took to social media platforms. He publicly posted content that disclosed the identity of the young survivor. This malicious act not only compounded the trauma for the victim and her family but also violated laws designed to protect the privacy of minors, especially in sensitive cases.
Legal Action Under Multiple Stringent Laws
Acting on the father's complaint, the Jalandhar police have initiated a rigorous legal process. An FIR has been officially registered under relevant sections of the law that address both the sexual offence and the digital crime.
The case has been filed under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to rape, and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Crucially, additional charges have been invoked for the online disclosure of the victim's identity. These include Section 66-E of the Information Technology Act (punishment for violation of privacy) and Section 74 of the POCSO Act, which explicitly prohibits the disclosure of a minor victim's identity in any form of media.
The police confirmed that the accused, Gurpreet Singh, is currently absconding. Law enforcement agencies have launched a manhunt to locate and apprehend him. Investigators are also examining the social media posts and digital evidence as part of their probe.
Community Outrage and Call for Justice
This case has sparked significant concern in the community, highlighting the dual threat of physical sexual violence and online harassment faced by minors. The act of revealing a survivor's identity is seen as an attempt to intimidate the victim and her family, potentially discouraging them from seeking justice.
Child rights activists and legal experts emphasize that the non-disclosure clause under the POCSO Act is sacrosanct. Its violation is a serious offence intended to shield the child from further stigma and psychological harm, ensuring a safer environment for recovery and legal recourse.
The Jalandhar police's swift registration of the case under a comprehensive legal framework is a critical step. It sends a strong message that crimes against children, both in the physical and digital realms, will be met with the full force of the law. The community now awaits the swift arrest of the accused to begin the process of judicial accountability.
