A 13-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped and subjected to rape in Durg rural, while two accomplices stood guard outside the premises to keep watch. Police have arrested all three accused, including the primary perpetrator, a computer operator and remanded them in judicial custody. Police are examining statutory provisions to invoke gang associates for actively aiding the commission of the offence. According to police, the survivor, a Class 8 student, had stepped out of her residence at around 11:30 pm on Tuesday to attend a local Diwali dance performance programme in village Samoda. When she failed to arrive at the venue or return home, her family launched a search. Following leads across the village, the family located the scene of the crime and found the minor inside a bathroom. Jeora Sirsa Police Outpost In-charge, Assistant Sub-Inspector Shamit Mishra, said the trio, all adults intercepted the girl and forcibly brought her to a residential property belonging to one of the associates. Confirming the arrests,

 

Additional Superintendent of Police (Urban) Shobhraj Agrawal stated that the primary accused assaulted the minor inside the premises while his two associates stood watch outside to prevent intervention and secure the perimeter. ‘All three accused have been apprehended and produced before a local court, which remanded them to jail. While the sexual assault was committed by one individual, we are examining legal avenues to ascertain the invocation of gang rape provisions against the co-accused for actively facilitating the crime,’ ASP Agrawal said. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences. Further investigations were under way.