Violent confrontation in Nainital triggered by an alleged minor's rape; authorities maintain that the disturbance has been contained.
Things took a turn for the worse in Nainital last night after a shocking incident involving a 65-year-old man and a minor girl. According to the latest reports, a building contractor has been arrested on charges of raping a young girl in his car on April 12.
The news has sparked unrest among the locals, leading to communal tension and violence. Shops and eateries in the Gaadi Padav area were targeted by an angry mob, with some men also being brutally beaten. The situation grew even more heated as the crowd targeted a nearby mosque with stones.
The accused, whose identity has been revealed as Usman or Osman, was apprehended by the police and is currently in custody. The FIR was filed under Section 65 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) at the Mallital police station.
The tension escalated after the predominant community learned about the accused's identity, with some members vandalizing shops in retaliation. According to the police, the situation was brought under control only at around 12:30 am, and a heavy police presence has been established to maintain peace.
Superintendent of police (SP), crime, Jagdish Chandra, stated, "We immediately registered the FIR on the complaint and arrested the accused. As locals learned about the crime, they gathered at the Mallital police station. They then went on to vandalize shops belonging to the Muslim community in Gaadi Padav area and beat up some men. We brought the situation under control at around 12:30 am and dispersed the crowd."
Chandra also outlined the sequence of events, highlighting the initial complaint made by the girl's family, who claimed that Usman lured their daughter with money before committing the heinous act in his car on April 12. The girl, who stays with her relatives, only confided in her mother about the incident on Wednesday.
The authorities are currently conducting a medical examination of the girl, with the results awaited. Usman will be presented in a local court on Thursday.
Related Reading:
- Strict action promised in Nainital communal violence, tourist destination maintains peace
- Uttarakhand: Minor gang-raped at gunpoint in Meerut colony, 3 arrested
- Controversy in Nainital: Minor alleges she was raped by a man and no action was taken by police
- Nainital communal tension: 65-year-old man arrested for alleged rape of minor girl
- Prohibitory orders imposed in Bhadrak after communal clash
- The alleged rape incidence in Nainital involving a minor girl has been categorized under Section 65 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).
- The building contractor, Usman or Osman, who has been arrested for the crime, is currently facing charges in a local court, as per reports of general-news and crime-and-justice.
- The political landscape has been influenced by the Nainital communal tension, as the accused's minority status has sparked violent reactions and vandalism from a predominant community.
- The unfortunate incident has amplified debates about justice and accountability in the realm of cricket, with some questioning whether adequate measures are in place to address similar offences in the sport, given its position as a significant part of the Indian cultural fabric.
