Police in Ludhiana have initiated a major manhunt for a 22-year-old man accused of the repeated sexual assault of his 14-year-old cousin. The alleged crimes occurred over a four-month period before the accused fled to his native state of Odisha.
Chilling Details of the Alleged Assault Emerge
The suspect had arrived in the industrial city of Ludhiana approximately four months ago. He was staying with relatives while searching for employment in the local industrial sector. According to the police investigation, he left for Odisha about two weeks ago, citing an inability to find suitable work.
The horrific situation came to light when the victim's mother observed that her daughter appeared consistently distressed and fearful. After persistent questioning, the minor girl bravely disclosed the trauma she had endured. She revealed that her cousin had raped her multiple times during his stay in their family home.
Swift Legal Action and Police Investigation
Acting promptly on the mother's complaint, the Ludhiana police registered a First Information Report (FIR). The accused has been charged under Section 64 (Rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Investigating Officer ASI Sukhwinder Singh confirmed the immediate action taken by the authorities. "We moved swiftly to register the case once the allegations were brought forward," Singh stated. He added, "The accused is currently on the run. A specialized police team will be dispatched to Odisha shortly to track his location and bring him back to face trial."
Ongoing Support and Case Proceedings
The young survivor is currently receiving essential counseling to help her cope with the psychological impact of the assault. Meanwhile, the police are diligently working to complete all necessary medical and legal formalities. This process is crucial to building a strong and watertight case against the accused for the upcoming trial.
The case underscores the severe legal repercussions for crimes against minors under India's stringent POCSO Act and the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
