Father, other family members arrested for sexually abusing 13-year-old girl for 2 years

In a recently reported horrific incident in Pune, a 13-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped and sexually abused by her father, uncle and an elder cousin over the last two years, opened up about her ordeal after a group counselling session at her school leading to the arrest of her rapists.

The father and uncle, who are in their 40s and the cousin who is in his early 20s have been arrested after an FIR was registered by the teenager, an official said on June 23.

The FIR was registered under Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to rape, criminal intimidation and physical assault along with the provision of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act.

“The girl opened up to her teachers in school after a group counselling session held to explain about good touch-bad touch and other concepts related to children’s protection from sexual offences. The girl opened up about the sexual abuse and rape by three members of her family. The case was subsequently reported to the police and an FIR was registered,” a senior officer from Pune City police was quoted as saying.

According to media reports, the girl was abused multiple times by the accused individuals between July 2022 and June 2024.

“The girl is being provided all necessary counselling support and the case is being monitored by senior officials. The three accused have been remanded to police custody," said the officer.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the cousin raped her sometime in July 2022 when the two were in separate rooms of the house.

The girl was allegedly raped by her uncle in January 2024 and was sexually abused by her father repeatedly over long period.

The three accused have also beaten her and threatened her with dire circumstances if she spoke to anyone about it, an officer said.

In January 2024, her uncle allegedly sexually abused her. "When the girl resisted her uncle's advances and tried to scream, he allegedly gagged and beat her," said a police officer.