Purulia, 18 January (H.S.): Purulia Sadar police have arrested seven people on charges of gang-raping a minor girl.

As per information, the victim's father filed a complaint on Friday night, alleging that his daughter had been abducted. According to police sources, the complainant stated that his daughter had gone out with a friend in the evening and did not return home.

Following the abduction complaint, Purulia Sadar police immediately launched an investigation. Within just two hours, the police rescued the minor girl from a secluded area in Purulia town. She was then provided with medical treatment.

During questioning, the minor girl told the police that she had been gang-raped. She later reiterated this claim in her statement before a magistrate.

The police subsequently added charges of gang rape and offenses under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to the abduction case. Seven people were arrested on Saturday.

All but one of the seven arrested are residents of the Ketika area of Purulia town. Six of the arrested individuals were produced before the Purulia District Court on Sunday. One accused was not produced in court due to ill health.

Purulia District Superintendent of Police, Vaibhav Tiwari, said, After receiving the complaint, the police launched an investigation and successfully rescued the victim in a short time. Based on the victim's statement, a case has been registered under sections related to abduction, gang rape, and the POCSO Act. Further investigation is underway to determine if anyone else was involved in this incident.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey