A man belonging to Bihar was arrested in Assam’s Sivasagar district on Saturday on charges of raping a minor girl numerous times, the police said. According to police, the accused and the survivor are residents of the same area under Sivasagar police station and the former allegedly took advantage of the absence of her parents to violate her.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Sivasagar, Moidul Islam told the media that as per the survivor’s kin, the case came to light on Friday after the survivor complained of severe stomach ache. The officer said, “Her kin said she was raped multiple times at her house in the absence of her parents.” 

Girl the eldest child in the family

The senior cop added, “The survivor girl is the eldest child in the family and used to take care of her siblings when her parents headed out for work. The accused took advantage of the situation, entered the house and violated her on numerous occasions.” 

Islam said the survivor’s kin lodged a complaint on Friday noon and a case was registered under Section 65(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Section 4 (Penetrative sexual assault) of Protection of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. 

Accused caught after being on the run for a brief period

As per police, the accused went on the lam but was eventually caught with the help of the locals, and was arrested. ASP Islam said, “We produced him before a court and are probing the incident further. Several locals aware of the case said. “We took a stand against the malpractice and handed him over to the cops. We demand exemplary punishment for him and we stand with the girl’s family.” 

Culprit a Pani puri vendor

The police learnt that the accused is a Pani Puri vendor from Bihar’s Samastipur district, who had been residing in Sivasagar town. ASP Islam further said, “He stayed at a rented accommodation in the same neighbourhood where the survivor’s family resides, and the girl’s parents are daily wage labourers.” 

Police sources said the girl has been admitted to the hospital, where she is receiving treatment since she fell ill. They added that her mandatory medical examinations have been ordered. The additional SP said, “We will record her statement once she recovers and it will be done under the court’s direct observation.” 

He concluded by saying that the statement of the accused has been recorded and all other possible evidence has been collected by cops.