Raipur: A village kotwar was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl in Chhattisgarh's Balod district, police said.
Incident Details
The child was playing with a friend near her house when the kotwar, a local functionary responsible for assisting the administration at the grassroots level, allegedly called the two girls to him. Investigators reported that he first sent one of the girls to a nearby shop on the pretext of getting some items and then began conversing with the second girl.
Police stated that the kotwar lured the minor to his house with the promise of watching television and raped her inside. The crime came to light after the child returned home and narrated the ordeal to her family members, who immediately approached the police.
Threats and Force
The child also revealed that the kotwar threatened her and forced her to consume some liquid before committing the offence. Police officials confirmed that all aspects of the allegations are being verified as part of the ongoing investigation.
Legal Action
A case has been registered under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. The man was taken into custody and later arrested after a preliminary investigation and collection of evidence, officials said.
Officials added that the child has undergone a medical examination, and a detailed statement will be recorded once she is in the right state of mind.
Community Reaction
The case has sparked anger in the village, with residents expressing shock that the allegations involve a person holding a position of responsibility within the community. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates are awaited.
