In a deeply disturbing case from Rajkot, Gujarat, the Bhaktinagar Police have arrested an adult man for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old deaf and mute girl and then extorting a massive sum of Rs 7.70 lakh from her by force. The money was part of her family's savings earmarked for a relative's wedding.
The Harrowing Ordeal Begins in September
The incident reportedly started on September 27, when a teenage girl from the victim's neighbourhood lured her to a nearby garden. There, the neighbour introduced the victim to her boyfriend. According to the official police complaint, this adult man then molested the minor victim and took several objectionable photographs of her.
Although the young girl cannot speak or hear, she possesses the ability to read and write to some extent. The accused exploited this, using written notes to threaten her. He warned that he would share the compromising photos with her relatives and circulate them on social media if she did not pay him money.
The Theft and Family's Discovery
The crime remained concealed for over two months. The truth began to unravel in early December when the girl's family started preparations for a nephew's wedding, scheduled between December 4 and 6. They had set aside Rs 7.70 lakh in cash for the wedding expenses, but when they went to retrieve the money, they found the cupboard empty.
When the family questioned the victim, she used sign language to reveal the entire traumatic sequence of events. She recounted the garden incident, the subsequent harassment, and the extortion. The girl explained that she had been handing over the cash in instalments to the accused, under the constant threat that he would shame her family by releasing the photos.
Police Action and Ongoing Investigation
Upon registering a complaint, the Bhaktinagar Police swiftly took action. Investigating officer MM Sarvaiya stated that they arrested the accused, who works as a labourer. "Our primary focus now is the recovery of the extorted money," Sarvaiya said. "We are also examining the mobile phone used to take the photos to ensure they were not circulated online."
The police have booked the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Authorities are also probing the role of the teenage neighbour who allegedly acted as an accomplice in luring the victim to the garden.
This case highlights the vulnerability of specially-abled children and the brutal lengths to which criminals will go for extortion. The Rajkot police continue their investigation to ensure complete justice for the victim and her family.
