At 12, she was targeted for the first time by father
LUCKNOW: Parents of a 14-year-old student were sent to jail on Friday, 08 Aug 2014. The student of ninth standard in her statement before cops accused her father of raping her. Her mother was aware of the situation but did not report the matter to police or tried to intervene to rescue the minor daughter. She was also sent to jail for abetting sexual offence against minor girl child under POCSO Act. As per girl, accused targeted her for the first time two years back.
The family stayed at Triveni Nagar under the jurisdiction of Hasanganj police station in a modest house. In a bid to get rid of financial woes and bad omen, girl’s father allegedly sexually assaulted the girl in the three room set house that is located in congested bylanes. During questioning the accused told police that at times he was overpowered by evil ghosts.
The accused has three children, eldest being an adult son who just crossed 18 and another daughter aged 16. While son had gone out, the daughter agreed to talk about the incident. “All five of us stayed on the ground floor and nothing untoward ever happened. My sister never brought up the matter to my notice. I have no clue whether the allegations are correct or not,” she said.
The sister duo study in two separate schools located in the same locality while their brother had recently took up a private job. The sister duo did not have cell phone either and used mobiles of their parents to remain in touch with friends.
The neighbours and relatives of the family expressed surprise. The family had rented three rooms on the first floor to bachelors and sold some eatables for livelihood. As per neighbours, the accused mostly remained indoors and so did the remaining members of the family. “We have never noticed anything amiss,” said few neighbour who were chatting among themselves.
Encouraged by some friends to speak out, girl reported the matter to Hasanganj police on Thursday noon just before school hours were ending. The accused was picked up near the school where he had been summoned by policemen.
The girl was taken for medical examination at a government hospital and the report was awaited. She refused to go back home and remained in police custody. The elder sister said she could not leave house to meet her on Friday but was keen to do so.
Meanwhile, in charge of Hasanganj police station, sub-inspector Dinesh Singh said that the couple was sent to jail only after their role in the act had been ascertained. “The father confessed to the act during questioning,” he added.
The father had been booked under rape charges besides voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult, criminal intimidation besides Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
Acute shortage of female cops:
The latest Hasanganj incident is also a reminder to top cops about the poor gender diversity in the state police force. With no female sub-inspector deputed at the police station, the investigations of the case had to be transferred to Mahanagar. 2012-batch sub-inspector Suman Chaubey was the investigating officer of the case.
