A shopkeeper in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district was arrested for molesting a 7-year-old girl in a shopkeeper’s house after allegedly molesting her and the city's residents in a local area were taken by police with no reason, an incident which led to angry residents of a child abuse case and a police investigation.
The police say the young girl visited the accused shop in her locality and is believed to have been sexually assaulted. The girl later told her family about the incident and they went to the police immediately and filed a complaint.
According to the family’s statement, the police registered a case under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Officers were quick to start the investigation and arrested the accused shopkeeper within a short period of time.
The child was medically examined as part of the investigation, and her statement was recorded according to legal procedures, authorities said. Police officers have assured the family that the case will be investigated thoroughly and that strict action will be taken against the accused if found guilty, they said.
The POCSO Act makes sexual crimes against children a serious offence and the investigations and trials of minors are sensitive and confidential. And there’s also the fact that the child’s identity cannot be disclosed under Indian law for the protection of the victim’s privacy.
The incident had residents worried about it and many said they were demanding that the criminals involved in crimes against children be punished severely.
Child rights activists have always stressed that children should know about safety, that they should be taught to communicate with each other and should be able to report suspicious behaviour immediately.
Parents and guardians have been told to be on their toes, so the children will feel safe speaking about what is uncomfortable or inappropriate. They also urged the public not to spread rumours about the victim or make public their identity on social media because that is a criminal offence.
The investigation is ongoing and we are gathering more information to corroborate our case. After the investigation, we will go through legal proceedings.
Cases of crimes against children continue to create serious concerns across the country. The law and practice are so critical to prevent and to bring justice for victims; community awareness, timely reporting, and child safety education are also of great importance to prevent such crimes, experts say.
The Hoshiarpur case is one more example that police are required to take action and the community needs to be vigilant in protecting children from abuse.
The case will be pursued under law and justice will be done for the victim and her family’s welfare, said the police.
