A 16-year-old girl was reportedly raped by her neighbours and his friend several times in Faridabad, Haryana, and was also compelled to have an abortion, according to police on Friday.
Three individuals – Jaswant (37), his associate Sultan, and Sikander (55), who is the victim’s neighbour – have been apprehended in connection with the case, as reported by news agency PTI.
Exploiting poverty
The child helpline official notified the police that he received a complaint from two NGOs – Shakti Vahini and Nosrishti Sanstha – on January 14 regarding a 16-year-old girl who was raped and forced to undergo an abortion.
The official met with the survivor, who recounted the crime. The girl shared that she begged by the roadside to provide for her alcoholic father and younger brother.
Police stated that Jaswant, an auto driver who frequently assisted the victim with food, offered to help the girl who was searching for her brother. “The victim disclosed that Jaswant took her to his room, where he and Sultan raped her multiple times. They threatened to kill her if she disclosed anything to anyone,” police mentioned.
The survivor’s neighbour, Sikander, provided her with food and tea and also raped her several times, police further noted.
The official reported to the police that an unidentified woman visited her on January 6 and provided food, after which the girl lost consciousness. Once she regained consciousness, Jaswant offered her a papaya, a shawl, and a jacket.
The crime was brought to public attention when the girl’s health deteriorated following the forced abortion, prompting a local NGO to alert the district child helpline.
Police have filed a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on the complaint, and further investigation is in progress.
