A tragic case involving the death of a little girl in Karnataka's Dharwad district has led to public outrage and calls for swift action by police. The incident happened in Garag Police Station and as a result the family of the girl said she had been harassed by a young man for years and was unable to cope with the emotional distress.
According to the family’s complaint, the minor girl died by suicide on May 8. Her parents have accused Naheem Beg of contacting her despite their wishes and causing her mental trauma.
The family said the accused had developed a relationship with the minor and continued to communicate with her even after they advised their daughter to separate herself from him. The youth continued to communicate with the girl via mobile phone calls, chats and video calls, they said.
The complaint asserts that images of the girl wearing a burqa were subsequently circulated on social media sites such as Instagram. Family members say the online spread of those images has caused the little girl to suffer and experience anxiety. They say the emotional pressure from the situation was the reason why she took that extreme step.
Based on the family's complaint, police have filed a case against the accused under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act as well as provisions related to abetment of suicide. An investigation is currently ongoing.
But at this point in time the case is becoming controversial because the accused has not been arrested, even if months have passed since the complaint was filed. The girl’s parents have claimed that the authorities have not acted fast against the suspect.
Local social and community organizations are also concerned. Dalit community members want the accused arrested right away and there should be an investigation of the circumstances of the girl’s death. The protesters want justice to be served immediately by law enforcement.
Police officials have not provided detailed findings from their investigation and have encouraged people not to speculate and keep speculation open while the investigation is ongoing. Digital evidence, social media activity, communication records, and witness statements are expected to be reviewed as part of the investigation.
The case has also generated a lot of discussion on social media, with many users concerned about the safety and well-being of minors and the impact of online harassment. Child rights advocates have emphasized the importance of addressing allegations involving minors with sensitivity and ensuring that investigations are conducted thoroughly and impartially.
Legal experts say allegations in a police complaint must be established through evidence during the course of an investigation and, if charges are filed, through judicial proceedings. This is why the allegations made by the family remain allegations at this stage, and have not been proven in court.
The sad loss of the little girl has shaken the community and people want to know who to blame and the case to be solved as soon as possible. As pressure on the authorities is mounting, all eyes are on the progress of that case, and whether the accused will be arrested in a few days’ time.
Police are counseling calm and have assured the family the matter is being investigated in accordance with the law. What the next step is likely to be is the legal action.
