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Youth accused of raping minor girl charge-sheeted within 24 hours
“In a remarkable feat, the Lucknow Police Commissionerate completed the investigation and filed a charge sheet within 24 hours, a first in Uttar Pradesh, aligning with the state government’s intent for swift justice,” a senior police officer privy to the investigation said.
In a swift response by police, a youth accused of raping a 7-year-old Dalit girl was arrested within 10 hours and a charge sheet was filed against him within 24 hours after the crime was reported, authorities said on Thursday.
The girl was allegedly raped by the 20-year-old accused, Suchit Yadav, in Gauri Gali area of Swanapur village, within Malihabad police station limits on Wednesday evening.
“In a remarkable feat, the Lucknow Police Commissionerate completed the investigation and filed a charge sheet within 24 hours, a first in Uttar Pradesh, aligning with the state government’s intent for swift justice,” a senior police officer privy to the investigation said.
According to officials investigating the matter and sources close to HT, all evidence was collected, forensic and medical formalities were completed, and the statement of the victim was recorded before the executive and judicial magistrates. The accused was produced before a local court, and the case has been recommended for a fast-track court to expedite legal proceedings.
“The police led by senior officials, including the DGP, ADG (law & order), commissioner of police, and district magistrate, worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The victim’s identity remains protected as per Supreme Court directives,” a senior officer said.
The minor Dalit girl had gone to take a bath at a nearby tubewell when the accused lured her into accompanying to a room near a drain in Madhavpur village, where he allegedly raped her on Wednesday evening, police said. The accused was arrested after the girl’s family filed a complaint at the Malihabad police station on Thursday.
The girl’s family gave a written complaint at the police station on Thursday, after which the accused was arrested by police within 10 hours of the crime, according to a press statement issued by the police.
“The accused was identified as Suchit Yadav, a truck driver and a resident of Malihabad,” the statement said. A case was registered under Section 65(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 5/6 of the POCSO Act at the Malihabad police station.
As per reports, the minor girl had visited her maternal grandmother’s house in Malihabad a few days back and went to the tubewell on Wednesday evening. The accused took her to a room where he allegedly raped her. After the girl did not return home, her family members tried searching for her, but in vain. However, the girl regained consciousness after the sexual assault and came out of the room. She then met her family members and narrated the ordeal.
After they filed a complaint on Thursday morning, police arrested the accused from a hideout in Kedar Gadh following a brief manhunt. “The accused was produced before the local court and further legal proceedings are underway,” SHO Surendra Singh Bhati said.
