A four-year-old girl was reportedly raped by the brother of her tuition teacher in East Delhi's Pandav Nagar sparking massive protests in the area, according to police statements on Sunday.
The alleged assault occurred on Saturday and the authorities transferred the victim from Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-Delhi for further medical attention.
The accused's house was surrounded by the victim's relatives and several others, who gathered in protest, urging for severe punishment against him. To ensure safety, the authorities increased security in the area by deploying both police and paramilitary force.
The protesters also vandalised some vehicles over rumours that no action was being taken, police informed.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Apoorva Gupta, who visited the area, said in a statement, "Last night (Saturday), a case of rape involving a four-year-old girl surfaced in the Mandawali police station. The police registered a case under appropriate sections and arrested the suspect on the same day."
She stated that numerous rumours were being spread on social media regarding this case.
"The girl is absolutely fine. She was sent to AIIMS because the One Stop Centre for children there provides better facilities compared to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital," said the DCP, adding that the girl's parents are with her.
Additional Commissioner of Police (eastern range) Sagar Singh Kalsi told PTI, "We have arrested the accused and detained some of his family members. Some locals vandalised a few vehicles after they received some messages that no arrest has been made so far. Police force deployment has been made, no one will be allowed to breach law and order."
He also mentioned that the girl is out of danger.
The officer further said the girl is being counselled apart from being given other assistance.
Statement by Delhi Police
Delhi Police issued a statement on the matter and said that the incident was reported in Mandawali Police Station.
Terming it as the "most heinous crime which deserves no mercy", police said that they have "acted with utmost alacrity and sensitivity in the matter.
As per the statement, police have registered a case under sections 4/6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act and IPC Section 376 (rape) against the accused.
He has been arrested and after being produced before the concerned court was remanded to judicial custody, police said.
"The victim has been provided medical assistance at AIIMS, and is presently recuperating under expert medical care. Her counselling is being done and criminal psychologists are attending to her so that she recovers from the trauma at the earliest," police said in the statement.
Atishi writes to LG VK Saxena
Delhi minister Atishi on Sunday wrote to Lt Governor V K Saxena on the alleged rape of a four-year-old girl in the national capital's Pandav Nagar, urging him to take "swift and strongest possible action" against the accused.
In a letter to the LG, Atishi said, "Such a horrific crime is a blot on the national capital. It is a sign of the poor law-and-order situation... that women and young girls are not safe in Delhi. Criminals committing violent crimes against women and children have no fear of quick and strong action by the Delhi Police." "Today I am writing to you not just as a minister, but as a woman who lives in Delhi. Article 239AA of the Constitution gives you the responsibility of police and public order. Kindly ensure that swift and strongest possible action is taken against the perpetrators of this horrendous crime," she said.
Atishi also urged him to ensure that Delhi becomes safe for women. "The women of Delhi are looking towards you to fulfil your constitutional obligation to provide them a safe city," she wrote.
Police mentioned that a team of investigators is handling the case, and they plan to request the appointment of a Special Prosecutor to present a strong case in court.
They will also ask the Delhi High Court to assign the case to a fast-track court, ensuring daily hearings for the earliest conviction of the accused with the highest possible sentence.
(With PTI inputs)
