Pilibhit Police Nab Two Men in Separate Sexual Assault Cases
In a concerning development from Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, law enforcement authorities have made two arrests in connection with separate incidents of sexual assault reported over the past week. The cases involve allegations of rape and molestation, highlighting ongoing challenges in ensuring women's safety in the region.
First Incident: Farmer Arrested for Alleged Rape of Elderly Woman
The first case unfolded in a village under the jurisdiction of the Kareli Police Station. A 40-year-old farmer has been taken into custody for allegedly raping a 61-year-old woman. According to police reports, the incident occurred at approximately 1 am on Monday while the survivor was sleeping alone at her farmhouse.
Investigators stated that the suspect entered the unsecured area of the farmhouse, gagged the woman, and then committed the assault. Her screams alerted her sons, who reside in a nearby house. However, the accused managed to flee the scene before they arrived, leaving behind his slippers and short pant at the spot, which later served as crucial evidence.
SHO Vipin Shukla confirmed that the accused has been formally charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 64(1), which pertains to rape, and section 333, related to house trespass. This swift legal action underscores the police's commitment to addressing such grave offenses.
Second Incident: Man Arrested for Molesting Teenage Student
In a separate incident reported from a nearby locality, a 25-year-old man was arrested for allegedly molesting a 16-year-old student. The survivor's father filed a formal complaint, detailing that the man approached the teenager at a local market on January 25.
The complaint alleges that the suspect used criminal force to outrage the girl's modesty and made inappropriate propositions. SHO Satyendra Kumar of the Pilibhit Kotwali Police Station stated that the suspect has been charged under BNS section 74, which addresses criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, along with appropriate sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, given the survivor's minor status.
Legal Proceedings and Aftermath
Both suspects were sent to jail on Tuesday following their arrests, as confirmed by police officials. The survivors in both cases have undergone necessary medical and legal examinations to support the investigations and ensure proper documentation of the incidents.
These arrests come amid heightened awareness and legal frameworks aimed at combating sexual violence in India. The use of the BNS and Pocso Act in these cases reflects the stringent measures available to authorities to prosecute such crimes. Police have emphasized that thorough investigations are ongoing to gather all relevant evidence and ensure justice is served.
The incidents have sparked discussions in the local community about safety measures and the importance of prompt reporting. Authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement to prevent such occurrences in the future.
