Police in Rajkot have taken swift action, arresting an 82-year-old man for the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl. The disturbing incident came to public attention only after a video recording of the act began circulating widely on social media platforms over the weekend.
Video Triggers Police Investigation
The case first came to light on Saturday when a video clip depicting the alleged molestation started spreading online. The viral nature of the footage prompted immediate intervention from the Malaviya Nagar police station. Investigating officer J R Desai confirmed that teams were quickly dispatched to the locality shown in the video to identify the individuals and location involved.
Through diligent local inquiries, officers managed to trace the accused to his residence. They also successfully identified the family of the young victim, who, shockingly, lives in the same neighbourhood as the accused. The father of the girl, when shown the viral video, confirmed that the child in the footage was indeed his daughter.
Pattern of Abuse Revealed
According to the police investigation, the young girl frequently visited the elderly man's home to play with his grandson. It was during these visits over the past week that the accused allegedly took advantage of the situation to inappropriately touch the child.
The minor victim, in her statement to both her parents and the police, revealed that the harassment had been ongoing for five to six days before the video surfaced. Preliminary findings suggest the video itself was recorded nearly a week prior to its online circulation, indicating a delay between the act and its public exposure.
Legal Action and Ongoing Probe
Following a formal complaint lodged by the victim's father, the octogenarian accused was booked under stringent laws. The charges invoked include Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act and Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The accused underwent a mandatory medical examination and was subsequently presented before a local court. Meanwhile, the police investigation continues on multiple fronts. Authorities are actively working to identify and record the statement of the person who filmed the incriminating footage. The video evidence has been secured and will be sent for detailed forensic analysis to aid the ongoing probe.
This case highlights the critical role of community vigilance and digital evidence in bringing such hidden crimes to justice, while also underscoring the vulnerability of children even in familiar settings.
