On way to Urs, 12-year-old girl allegedly abducted, taken to undisclosed location and sexually assaulted in Bandipora

Two accused arrested; girl undergoes medical examination, counselling, says Bandipora police

Bandipora: In the case involving the alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in Bandipora on Monday, in which two accused were arrested on the same day, police have now revealed that the girl was abducted by the accused while she was on her way to attend Urs celebrations in Malangam.

According to the police, the accused allegedly took the girl on a motorcycle to an undisclosed location, where she was sexually assaulted. She was later dropped at Turukpora village, the police said.

On the evening of August 9, the father of the 12-year-old girl walked into a police station in Bandipora to file a complaint after his daughter told him that she had been sexually assaulted.

The girl subsequently informed her parents about the incident, following which her father approached the police and lodged a complaint.

The complaint set off an overnight investigation, during which police traced a phone number provided by the girl’s father and arrested two accused in connection with the case.

SSP Bandipora Aijaz Ahmad Zarga told Free Press Kashmir that the girl had gone to the Urs celebrations alone.

“We have arrested the two accused and further investigation is underway. After completion of the investigation, the FIR and charge sheet will be filed,” he said.

The two accused, according to the SSP, are residents of Malangam, a neighbouring village of the victim.

Meanwhile, SSP Aijaz said the girl was presented before a medical board and underwent a medical examination.

“We have also arranged a counselling session for her,” the SSP told Free Press Kashmir.

The police have not disclosed the specific sections invoked in the case.

Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, penetrative sexual assault against a child below 16 years of age carries a minimum punishment of 20 years’ imprisonment, which may extend to imprisonment for the remainder of the offender’s natural life, along with a fine.

The law prescribes more stringent punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault, with certain offences carrying imprisonment for the remainder of the offender’s natural life or the death penalty.