In a shocking incident highlighting alleged police inaction and political influence, the Pilibhit police have finally registered a case against four members of a family for a brutal assault that included molesting a minor girl. The violence erupted from a dispute over the felling of a neem tree in October last year.
Court Order Leads to FIR After Months of Alleged Inaction
Acting on a judicial order from the court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge (Pocso Act), the Madhotanda police station officials filed the First Information Report (FIR) on Monday night. The complainant, a 40-year-old man, had alleged that the police initially refused to register his complaint because the accused were politically connected.
The incident dates back to October 22 in a village under the Madhotanda police station jurisdiction. The victim stated that after the assault, he was sent for a medical examination and X-ray, but an FIR was not filed. He then sent a fresh complaint via registered post to Superintendent of Police Abhishek Yadav on December 3, which also did not yield action, forcing him to finally seek justice from the court.
Gruesome Details of the Assault Emerge
The conflict began when the victim objected to the accused family felling a neem tree in front of his house. Enraged, four men from the family allegedly barged into his home and assaulted him, breaking four of his teeth. When his 14-year-old daughter rushed to his rescue, the situation took an even more horrific turn.
The complainant alleged that the two sons of the main accused, aged 30 and 27 years, molested the minor girl and stripped her in front of her helpless father. When his wife intervened to protect their daughter, she was also savagely beaten by the assailants.
Multiple Charges Under New BNS Statutes
Station House Officer Ashok Pal confirmed that a case has been registered against the four accused: a man, his two sons, and his younger brother. They have been booked under several sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the Indian Penal Code.
The charges include:
- BNS Section 74: Using criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty.
- BNS Section 76: Using criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe her.
- BNS Section 131: Assault or use of criminal force otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation.
- BNS Section 333: House trespass after preparation for assault.
- BNS Section 115(2): Voluntarily causing hurt.
- BNS Section 117(2): Voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
The case underscores serious concerns about the protection of minors under the Pocso Act and the challenges victims face in seeking justice when powerful local influences are involved. The police investigation is now ongoing under the direct oversight of the judiciary.
