Accused in Ghaziabad rape of girl rescued from madrasa to be tried as adult

A bone ossification test of the accused, initially thought to be 17 years old, determined that he was older.

The Juvenile Justice Board on Wednesday said that an accused held in connection with the rape of a 10-year-old girl inside a madrasa in Ghaziabad will be tried as an adult after the bone ossification test report indicated he was not a juvenile.

People take out a silent candle light protest demanding justice for the rapes minors, at Park street in Kolkata on April 14, 2018. (Samir Jana/HT Photo)

The matter was heard a day after a report was submitted to the Juvenile Justice Board.

After taking note of the bone ossification test report submitted by the Delhi Police, the board said that the accused, who was initially suspected to be 17 years old, will be tried as an adult, said an officer.

The bone ossification test was carried out since the family failed to submit documents that could help police ascertain if he was below 18 years of age.

The test report indicated that he is a major.

Last week, the police had also arrested the madrasa cleric Ghulam Shahid for allegedly being aware of the presence of the girl on the premises.

The police were informed on April 21 by the girl’s father that she had gone missing from Ghazipur in east Delhi after she went to the market.

The victim had recorded her statement in front of a magistrate on April 23. She stated that the accused had taken her to the madrasa to meet his friends.