Seven people, including three juveniles, have been arrested in Telangana’s Siddipet district over the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl on Dussehra, police said.
A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and all seven accused have been produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
Incident Took Place on Dussehra
According to police, the girl was at home on Dussehra while her parents had gone to work in their agricultural fields.
The seven accused allegedly took her against her will to a neighbouring village, where the sexual assault is alleged to have taken place.
She was dropped near her village the following morning.
Girl Told Parents After Returning Home
Police said the teenager disclosed the incident to her parents after returning home.
Her father subsequently approached the police and lodged a complaint, following which a case was registered under the POCSO Act.
Investigators then identified and apprehended all seven accused.
Three of Seven Accused Are Minors
Police said three of the seven accused are juveniles.
The accused are from Cheriyal town and Dhoolmitta village in Siddipet district.
Their identities have not been made public because the case involves a minor survivor and juvenile accused.
All Seven Sent to Judicial Custody
After their arrest, the accused were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction and assault, including the role attributed to each accused.
Drug Tests Conducted on Accused
According to additional local police reporting, rapid drug-screening tests were conducted on all seven accused under the supervision of the Husnabad ACP.
Police said the preliminary tests did not indicate drug consumption.
Investigation Underway
The case remains under investigation, and police have not publicly disclosed further details in order to protect the identity and privacy of the minor survivor.
The allegations against the accused will be tested through the judicial process. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.
