Bengaluru, 09 August (H.S.): Police have launched a search for a 33-year-old autorickshaw driver accused of abducting and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in Chincholi taluk of Kalaburagi district.

The accused, identified as Fayaz, a resident of Magdampur village in Chincholi taluk, has been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

According to police, the minor used to travel for daily wage work along with other labourers in the autorickshaw driven by Fayaz. The accused and the girl had become acquainted during these regular journeys.

In a complaint lodged with the police, the girl’s mother alleged that Fayaz telephoned the minor on August 5 and asked her to meet him near the village gate. He then allegedly took her in his autorickshaw to Zaheerabad in neighbouring Telangana.

Police said the accused later took the girl to a room belonging to one of his friends. When she asked to be taken back home that night, Fayaz allegedly threatened her with serious consequences and sexually assaulted her.

The following morning, the accused allegedly brought the girl back towards Karnataka and dropped her near Konchavaram village before fleeing.

The alleged incident came to light after the girl reached her relatives and narrated what had happened. Her mother subsequently approached the police and lodged a formal complaint.

Based on the complaint, Konchavaram police registered a case against Fayaz under the BNS and provisions of the POCSO and SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Acts.

Police said efforts were under way to trace and arrest the accused, who remained absconding. Further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction and assault is continuing.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman