Birbhum civic volunteer arrested for minor’s sexual abuse
Times of India | 15 December 2024
Suri/Kolkata: In the third related incident in just over a month, a civic volunteer from Birbhum's Mohammad Bazar was arrested on Saturday for allegedly sexually abusing a minor girl. Although the incident took place in Nov, the victim's family only recently became aware of it and lodged a complaint.
The arrested individual lived next to the victim's house, said police. Initial investigations revealed that the relationship between the two families was good and the girl used to visit her neighbour's house frequently.
Allegedly, one day in Nov, the civic volunteer sexually harassed the minor. He also threatened the girl to keep silent. However, the minor's mother became suspicious after noticing physical changes in her daughter and questioned her. After that, the victim broke down in tears and disclosed the whole incident.
A complaint was filed at Suri Women Police Station. A physical examination of the minor was conducted, and police will soon get her statement recorded in court.
Bhawani Bhawan officials said they wished to set an example in this case with instructions to complete trial in the shortest possible time.
In the first and second weeks of Nov, two cases were reported against civic volunteers, the first in Malda, and the second at Entally PS. Over 20 cases have been filed against civic volunteers in the last two years.