Palamu police arrest three in gang-rape case involving minor SC girl
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, November 1: Palamu police have arrested three men in connection with the alleged gang rape of a…
Palamu SP Kapil Chaudhary briefs reporters in Daltonganj on Sunday, with the three accused standing behind him.
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, November 1: Palamu police have arrested three men in connection with the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old Scheduled Caste girl in Untari Road police station limits. Police said they cracked the case within about 72 hours.
The two men accused of rape have been identified as Subodh Dixit, 38, and Mukesh Dixit, 26. Officials said the third accused, Abhay Dixit, 20, was allegedly present during the incident but did not report it to the police. All three are residents of Bhaduma village.
The men were arrested on October 31 and sent to judicial custody on Sunday, November 1.
Police have invoked Section 70 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Palamu Superintendent of Police Kapil Chaudhary said the survivor was a minor and belonged to a Scheduled Caste.
“The rape survivor girl has herself given in writing that Abhay Dixit was asking the two others, Subodh and Mukesh, not to rape her, but these two raped her one by one,” the SP said.
Referring to Section 21 of the POCSO Act, Chaudhary said, “Withholding information or failing to report a known sexual offense is a punishable offense.” Police said Abhay was named as an accused for allegedly failing to report the incident.
Police Seize Two Vehicles and Three Phones
The alleged incident took place on the night of October 29 in an e-rickshaw travelling between Bhaduma and Naugarh. Police said the girl reported being raped twice—once inside the vehicle and again after it was parked.
Police seized two vehicles, an auto-rickshaw and an e-rickshaw, along with three mobile phones.
According to the SP, the girl had initially booked an auto-rickshaw, which broke down. Its driver, Subodh, then arranged an e-rickshaw driven by Mukesh. Abhay was also in the vehicle, police said.
Case Uncovered During Search for Missing Boy
Police said the girl had gone out at night to meet her boyfriend, who left her and ran away. The boy’s family reported him missing on October 30. He was later traced and told police why he had left, after which investigators located the girl.
Police said the survivor underwent a medical examination and was then handed over to her parents.
Chaudhary said crimes against women and girls would be dealt with firmly. He praised the team led by Bishrampur SDPO Chiranjeev Mandal for investigating the case.
