The Chittoor district police have arrested a 42-year-old man on the night of July 21, 2026, because they have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act within 24 hours of registering a case of sexual assault involving a minor girl in Bangarupalyam mandal.
Superintendent Tushar Dudi, who speaks at a police station (Chittoor district police) said the accused was taken into custody on the night of July 21, 2026, less than a day after the complaint was filed, and said the department was taking action in crimes against children quickly.
Police officials say that the case was registered immediately after the complaint on the alleged assault on the minor was received. A special investigation team was formed without delay and officers launched an intensive search operation to trace the accused. Based on preliminary evidence, witness statements and technical inputs gathered during the investigation, the police were able to identify and apprehend the suspect in such a short span of time.
The accused has been booked under the POCSO Act and other relevant sections of the law according to the police. They added that the legal process is being followed according to established procedures and more evidence will be collected to establish the whole sequence of events. The accused will be brought before the court as part of the judicial process, officials said.
Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi said he was incredibly proud of the quick and cohesive response of the police to the case as well as the coordination among them to get it to the police as soon as the investigation started and to solve the case quickly. He said crimes against children are handled with the greatest attention and the police would act on the most serious charges under the POCSO Act and the police would continue to act on the matter to hold people to account for crimes with their crimes in the POCSO Act, saying the police will continue to investigate their crimes against victims and also work with them in a professional and sensitive manner.
Police officials asked the public to report crimes against children quickly so that criminal action could be taken. Fast reporting is crucial for evidence protection, for investigations and for the safety and well-being of victims, they said. Parents, teachers and other community members should be watchful and children should speak up if they witness inappropriate behaviour, they said.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 provides a comprehensive legal framework for addressing sexual offences against children. It provides for child-friendly reporting processes, investigation and trial while protecting the privacy and dignity of victims throughout the legal process. The law also requires strict punishment for those found guilty of offences against minors.
Child protection experts who work in child protection have pointed out that awareness, early intervention and coordination of support networks among families, schools, health care professionals, law enforcement and child welfare authorities are all of the most important. They stress that effective safe environments for children will only be possible if the community is actively involved in the work of child protection and not just through laws and regulations.
According to officials, the minor victim’s identity is being protected in accordance with legal requirements. Under Indian law, the identity of children involved in POCSO cases cannot be disclosed which protects them from suffering any further trauma, authorities said.
The speed of the arrest was welcomed by residents who appreciated the quick response of the Chittoor police. The investigation would continue well and the justice system would be in place to hold persons to account, people said.
The incident also serves as a reminder of the importance of strengthening child protection mechanisms by providing awareness programmes, counselling facilities and easy reporting channels. Citizens are also encouraged to report suspected offences immediately and to act so that early intervention can help protect vulnerable children and support families.
Police officials in Chittoor district are committed to a fair and impartial investigation and to follow the laws. They will do everything possible to provide justice while protecting the rights and dignity of the child," said Peter P. Rainsall, chief constable, Chittoor district police. The case is under investigation and no further information will be given until the court has dealt with the matter.
