Police in Varanasi have taken into custody a 65-year-old practitioner of traditional medicine, accused of a horrific crime against a child. The man, a hakim, is alleged to have beaten and raped a nine-year-old girl in his neighbourhood.
Neighbour Accused of Heinous Crime
The incident came to light early on Wednesday morning in a locality under the jurisdiction of the Kotwali police station. According to the official complaint, the accused, who lived in a house neighbouring the victim's, took the young girl to his home. There, he allegedly subjected her to a brutal sexual assault.
The victim's mother had passed away, and she lived with her father and four siblings. After the traumatic ordeal, the girl confided in her elder sister. This disclosure prompted immediate action from her family and other residents of the area.
Community Hands Over Accused to Police
Outraged by the allegations, the girl's family members and local people first apprehended the hakim themselves. They then took him to the Kotwali police station and formally handed him over to the authorities.
Acting on the complaint filed by the minor's elder sister, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR). The case has been lodged under relevant sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kotwali) Ishan Soni confirmed the details of the case on Thursday.
Medical Examination and Ongoing Probe
Following the arrest of the accused, the police ensured that the survivor underwent a medical examination. This is a standard and crucial procedure in cases of sexual assault to collect forensic evidence. The Kotwali police have stated that the investigation into the matter is actively progressing.
The swift arrest was made possible by the collective effort of the community, who detained the suspect and presented him before the law. This case highlights the continued vulnerability of children and the severe legal repercussions for such crimes under India's POCSO Act.
