Amaravati: In a deeply disturbing turn of events, two separate incidents involving the sexual harassment, assault, and exploitation of minor girls have come to light in Andhra Pradesh. Local authorities have registered cases under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The details from both cases highlight a worrying vulnerability of minors, with perpetrators allegedly using family ties or intimidation tactics to commit and conceal the crimes.
Case 1: 16-Year-Old Exploited by Uncle and Aunt in Tirupati
In the first incident, a 16-year-old girl from Jagadgiri Gutta, Telangana, was subjected to severe sexual exploitation by her biological uncle while visiting his home in Tirupati for her summer vacations.
The Modus Operandi and Blackmail
According to law enforcement authorities, the victim had recently completed her Intermediate exams and traveled to Tirupati to spend her summer holidays at her aunt and uncle’s residence. The uncle, who works as a Senior Assistant in the GST Department, repeatedly assaulted her.
Shockingly, the uncle’s wife who works as a Deputy Tahsildar in Tirupati district allegedly aided and abetted the crime, acting as an accomplice to protect her husband rather than safeguarding the young girl.
The ordeal escalated into digital blackmail. The accused compiled phone logs, chat application conversations, and photographs taken with the victim. He used this media to threaten her, stating that if she refused to comply when called, or if she revealed the abuse to anyone, he would make the material viral on social media.
Investigation and Arrests
After returning home to Jagadgiri Gutta, the victim’s mother noticed changes in her behavior and questioned her, causing the horrific details to come to light.
- The Filing: The mother approached the Jagadgiri Gutta Police, who immediately registered a Zero FIR and transferred the case to the Tirupati East Police Station.
- The Supervision: Following directives from District SP Subbarayudu, the investigation was directly supervised by Tirupati DSP Bhaktavatsalam.
- The Arrest: On the evening of May 21, police arrested both the prime accused (the GST Senior Assistant) and his wife (the Deputy Tahsildar). They were produced before a local court, which remanded them to judicial custody.
Case 2: Attempted Assault on 11-Year-Old Dalit Minor in Payakaraopeta
The second incident involves an alleged sexual assault attempt on an 11-year-old Dalit girl in the Payakaraopeta constituency of Anakapalli district. The case has drawn political scrutiny as Payakaraopeta is the constituency represented by Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, leading to allegations from locals that police initially tried to suppress the matter.
The Mother’s Complaint
According to the victim’s mother, the incident occurred on May 17. Two men from a neighboring cantonment area cornered the 11-year-old girl under the pretext that she had stolen a mobile phone.
The mother alleged that the men forcibly dragged her daughter into a nearby coconut grove, where they physically assaulted her, scratched her with their nails, and inappropriately touched her private parts. They threatened to kill the girl if she spoke of the incident to anyone. The matter was uncovered when the mother noticed physical injuries on her daughter’s body. The family lodged a formal police complaint on Wednesday.
Conflicting Police Statements Trigger Doubts
The case has sparked local controversy due to inconsistencies in statements provided by law enforcement:
The Police Narrative: Narsipatnam DSP Srinivasa Rao released a video statement asserting that the allegation of “attempted sexual assault” was false and misreported by certain media outlets. According to the DSP, the dispute was strictly physical violence arising from a confrontation over an unreturned mobile phone.
However, Circle Inspector (CI) Shankara Rao released a statement confirming that a comprehensive criminal case has indeed been registered to address all elements of the complaint.
Official Charges Registered
Despite the public downplaying of the sexual assault angle by the DSP, the police have officially booked the two accused individuals under Crime Number 137/26, applying the following severe legal frameworks:
- Sections 74, 79, and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Sections 3 and 7 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- Relevant sections of the POCSO Act
Seeking Justice
Both cases have triggered intense demands from local child rights activists and community leaders for a swift, transparent judicial process to ensure the perpetrators—regardless of their administrative or political proximity—face the full extent of the law.
For support, reporting resources, or legal frameworks surrounding child safety, please consult the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
