Bhadohi,

29 May (HS): A 30-year-old male was detained in connection with the alleged rape

of a 16-year-old Dalit girl here, authorities said on Thursday. According to a

senior police officer, the alleged event occurred on May 17, when a girl

stepped outside to answer nature's call.

Accused Jitendra Prajapati reportedly covered her mouth, brought her to

his residence, attacked her, and then raped her with a knife. When the girl failed

to return home late that night, her family began searching for her. The accused went to her father's workplace, a

fuel pump, and reportedly ordered him to take his daughter from his home. He also reportedly threatened him to keep silent,

according to authorities. According to police sources, the victim's father

first preferred silence out of fear and societal disgrace.

The

youngster allegedly threatened to commit suicide if her family did not file a

complaint against Prajapati. Her father

then went to the Koirauna police station and filed a complaint on May 25.

According

to Bhadohi Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhimanyu Manglik, a FIR was filed

against Prajapati on Friday based on a complaint from the girl's father under

relevant sections of the BNS, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences

(POCSO) Act, and Section 3(1)(d) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

(Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Police initiated a search for the absconding

culprit after completing the girl's medical check and recording her statement

in court. Jitendra Prajapati was detained near Newajipur on Wednesday night and

sentenced to prison on Thursday, according to the SP.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi