Four sexual assault cases in a week, all in Govindpuri

Four instances of crimes against women, in which the youngest victim was just seven years old, were reported within a week from a single police station in southeast Delhi during the past week.

Four instances of crimes against women, in which the youngest victim was just seven years old, were reported within a week from a single police station in southeast Delhi during the past week.

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Police admitted the incidents were reported between February 14 and 17 from Govindpuri area. While three men accused of perpetrating these crimes were arrested, one remains on the run.

In the first incident, which was reported on Valentine’s Day, a 15-year-old student of Class VIII at a government school was lured to Noida where she was sexually assaulted. “Her parents approached us with a complaint alleging that she had been abducted on the same evening,” said an officer.

Two days later, the victim was dropped at Govindpuri area by the accused, Bhura, who lived in the same neighbourhood as the girl’s family in Sangam Vihar. Police have registered a case of rape after the girl’s medical examination confirmed sexual assault.

“Efforts to trace Bhura are under way and several teams are conducting raids to apprehend him,” the officer said.

In another incident, which was reported the very same day, an 11-year-old was allegedly abducted before being sexually assaulted and abandoned near her house the next day.

“She was taken to an area near her house. By the day she surfaced, a case of kidnapping had been registered and charges of sexual assault were added to it after the victim’s medical examination confirmed that she had been raped,” the officer said.

One Sonu, 19, whom the victim identified as the accused, was arrested soon after.

On February 17, a 46-year-old man, later identified as Sarvesh, was arrested for molesting his tenants’ four-year-old daughter when her parents were away.

“The victim had told her parents about having been victimised by Sarvesh and they approached the local police station with their complaint. The accused was arrested immediately,” the officer said.

On the very same day, a 22-year-old neighbour was arrested for molesting a seven-year-old in the same neighbourhood.

During the year 2012, according to Delhi Police figures, Govindpuri had accounted for as many as 21 cases of sexual assault — the highest number of sexual assault cases to have been registered in the Capital.

This year, sources said, as many as five cases of rape and eight cases of molestation have been registered at the same police station so far.

“Cases of this nature are being registered immediately after being brought to the our notice,” the officer added.