Authorities in Telangana’s Siddipet district have arrested seven individuals, including three minors, in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl. The incident, which has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, occurred during the Dasara festival period. According to officials, the case was initiated after the victim’s father filed a formal complaint with the local police.
Maddur sub-inspector MD Asif stated that the crime took place while the teenager's parents were away from home for agricultural work. Reports indicate that the accused allegedly abducted the girl and took her to a neighboring village. She was returned to her own village the following morning. Upon her return, the victim’s parents—who had spent the night searching for her—learned of the incident and sought police intervention.
Following the formal complaint, the police launched an immediate investigation and identified the seven individuals involved. All seven suspects, which includes three minors, were taken into custody and subsequently produced before a local court. The court has remanded all the accused to judicial custody. Authorities have opted to withhold the identities of the suspects to protect the identity of the minor victim and in accordance with legal provisions regarding the juvenile suspects.
In the wake of the incident, law enforcement officials took additional investigative measures to determine the circumstances surrounding the assault. Under the supervision of the Husnabad Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), drug tests were conducted on all seven arrested individuals. According to Sub-Inspector Asif, these tests were performed using rapid kits and did not yield any evidence of drug consumption among the suspects.
The incident has caused significant concern within the local community in Siddipet. While the investigation remains ongoing, the authorities have moved quickly to process the case through the judicial system. The legal proceedings under the POCSO Act, which is designed to provide stringent protections for minors in cases of sexual abuse, will continue as the case moves toward trial.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges regarding the safety of minors in rural regions during festive periods when adult supervision may be reduced due to occupational demands. Local police have continued their efforts to gather further evidence as the investigation proceeds. No further details regarding the ongoing judicial process or future hearings have been released by the police at this stage, as the focus remains on ensuring the legal protocols associated with the POCSO Act are strictly followed.
The arrest has underscored the reliance of the investigation on the statement and identification provided by the survivor. Police have maintained a firm stance on the matter, ensuring that the accused were apprehended promptly after the complaint was lodged. Further updates on the progress of the judicial custody and the subsequent trial are expected as the legal process unfolds under the jurisdiction of the Siddipet courts.
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