Patna: A minor girl has accused her brother-in-law of rape in Patna’s Kotwali police station area, sparking outrage and conflicting statements within the family. The incident reportedly occurred on July 12, when the girl, a resident of Daniyawan, visited her sister’s home.
According to the victim’s statement to police, her brother-in-law assaulted her while they were alone at the residence. “I screamed for help, but no one came. When I told my sister, she scolded me and told me to stay quiet,” she said. The girl later filed a formal complaint, following which police arrested the accused on July 14 and placed him in judicial custody.
The accused, who works as a mechanic in a mobile repair shop, is the husband of the victim’s cousin. His wife has publicly defended him, claiming the charges are fabricated. “My husband is innocent. This is an attempt to malign us,” she said. The couple had reportedly married in a Hanuman temple in Patna earlier this year.
Patna Police confirmed that a case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (rape). A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory has recovered a blood-stained bedsheet and other items from the scene, which officials say could serve as crucial evidence.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Law and Order) Krishna Murari Prasad said that a medical examination of the victim is underway, and the forensic and medical reports will be key to the investigation.
