17-year-old arrested for raping minor girl in Uttar Pradesh

Bhadohi (UP): A 17-year-old boy was arrested from a hospital in Varanasi on Sunday for allegedly raping a four-year-old girl, police said.

The incident took place on May 30 in a village under the jurisdiction of Gyanpur police station of the district, they said, adding that the accused was taken to a juvenile home.

Bhadohi Superintendent of Police Meenakshi Katyayan said that based on a complaint by the victim’s mother, a case has been registered against the juvenile accused under sections 376 A (rape and assault), 504 (insult with intent to disturb public peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act.

The official said that a team was sent there on Sunday to arrest the minor accused after receiving information that he was in Varanasi.

According to police sources, the accused’s family took him to a trauma centre in Varanasi to avoid police action.

“The minor accused was taken into custody and sent to Mirzapur Juvenile Reform Centre. He has already been sent to a juvenile home twice in the past for theft,” the SP said.