A 58-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping a minor repeatedly since February in Tripura’s Khowai district on Sunday, reported PTI.
“The complaint was filed by the 14-year-old girl who alleged that the man had raped her 11 times since February”, Superintendent of Police (Khowai) Krishnendu Chakravertty told PTI. “The complainant fled from her residence at Teliamura in Khowai district on Saturday evening. She went to a relative’s house at Bishalgarh in Sipahijala district, about 76 km away from her house. Her relatives took her to the local police station.”
Manoj Ghosh, a contractor, was arrested at 4 am on Sunday and produced before a local court and charged with rape, criminal intimidation and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act Act, reported Northeast Today. He has been sent to police custody for three days.
Subir Sen, Communist Party of India (Marxist) Teliamura sub-divisional committee secretary, alleged that Ghosh was also a leader of the Viswa Hindu Parishad.
However, Amal Chakraborty, VHP state organisational secretary, told Northeast Today that Ghosh had no ties to the organisation. “We don’t have any liability for his actions.”
On Sunday, President Ram Nath Kovind signed an ordinance that allows the death penalty for those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12. In case of rape of a girl under 16 years, the minimum punishment has been increased from 10 years to 20 years, which could be extended to a life term.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!