Pilibhit Minor Rape Case: 10-Year-Old Victim Critical, 16-Year-Old Cousin Sent to Juvenile Home
A horrific incident of sexual violence has shaken a village in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, where a 10-year-old girl is fighting for her life after being brutally raped by her 16-year-old cousin. The victim, a Class 5 student, suffered severe internal injuries requiring emergency medical intervention.
Brutal Assault and Critical Injuries
The shocking crime occurred on Wednesday evening around 6 pm when the accused, a Class 8 student and close relative, took the girl to his house while his family was away visiting relatives. According to police reports, the boy raped the minor and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident to anyone.
Dr Rajesh Kumar, Chief Medical Superintendent of the district women's hospital, confirmed the gravity of the injuries, stating that the girl's private parts were ruptured, necessitating multiple stitches. The victim returned home bleeding profusely and narrated her ordeal to her mother.
Delayed Reporting Due to Threats and Family Dynamics
The girl's grandfather revealed that the accused had specifically threatened to kill her if she told family members or approached the police. "The boy threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident to family members or approached the police," he said, adding that because the accused was a close relative, no one in the family objected when he took the girl to his house.
Due to the survivor's critical condition, her parents prioritized immediate medical treatment before filing a police complaint. They approached authorities with a written complaint on Thursday evening, and an FIR was registered later that night.
Legal Action and Charges Filed
The minor accused was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board on Friday and subsequently sent to a juvenile home in Bareilly. Kotwali SHO Satyendra Kumar detailed the charges against the accused, which include:
- BNS Section 74: Criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty
- BNS Section 65(2): Rape of a woman under 16 years of age
- BNS Section 351(3): Criminal intimidation
- POCSO Act Section 5(m): Penetrative sexual assault on a child below 12 years
- POCSO Act Section 6: Aggravated penetrative sexual assault
The case highlights disturbing aspects of juvenile crime, family dynamics in rural settings, and the challenges in reporting sexual violence against minors. Authorities continue their investigation while the victim remains under medical care for her critical injuries.
