Allegation of rape of minor by juvenile
SHILLONG: The West Garo Hills district administration has instructed the District Police to exercise caution over the Tura rape case that was reported on Monday, stating that this is a matter which cannot be proven judgmentally as both the victim and the accused are minors.
The incident of rape of a two-and-half-year-old minor by a 15-year-old boy which took place a week ago but came to the light only on Monday, took a new turn on Tuesday after the family members of the accused filed a counter-FIR against the victim’s father stating that a false allegation was leveled against the accused based on family disputes.
It is learnt that the rape incident took place about a week ago but was not reported by the victim’s family due to fear of social ostracism and pressure from the family of the accused.
Incidentally, the boy who was arrested on Monday and forwarded to the Juvenile Justice Board on Tuesday was released on bail due to lack of evidence to prove that the boy had committed the crime. After examining the medical reports, the Juvenile Justice Board on Tuesday granted bail to the juvenile as there was no clear indication that rape had occurred. Later, family members of the accused filed a counter FIR against the victim’s father stating that the allegation is a result of a dispute between the two families.
“We have to be cautious in this matter as both the victim and the accused are minors and the same cannot be proven judgmentally,” Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said on Tuesday.
Bakshi also informed that the district administration has directed the District Child Protection Officer to undertake a factual study of the case and to subsequently submit a report of the same to him. Police have registered complaints filed by both parties involved, Bakshi informed, adding that the police have been instructed to follow up on the case very cautiously to avoid further complications.
