Delhi minor rape: 2 accused charged with rape, unnatural offence

New Delhi: A court has framed charges of rape as well as charges under the provision of Child Protection Act against two people in the rape cae of a 5-year-old in Delhi. The case had sparked public outcry in April after it was learnt that the accused had kept the girl in confinement in the same building where her family lived.

Charges of rape and unnatural offence have been slapped against the two accused by the court on its own as these two sections were not invoked by the police in its chargesheet. Provisions under the child protection act have been been invoked against them.

Additional Sessions Judge Sanjay Garg said "prima facie" charges of raping a minor, kidnapping, unnatural offence, attempt to murder, destruction of evidence and wrongful confinement with common intention under IPC are made out against accused Manoj Shah (22) and Pradeep Kumar (20). The court also framed against them charges of aggravated sexual assault under the newly enacted Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act which entails a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

The charges were framed against Manoj and Pradeep after they pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. ASJ Garg, who is presiding over special court under the POCSO Act, fixed the matter for July 24 for recording the statement of prosecution witnesses, including parents of the minor victim.

The girl was allegedly raped several times by her neighbour over a period of two days. Her parents at the time had alleged that the police had done nothing to help find the girl. The girl was rescued 40 hours later on April 17 and is under treatment at AIIMS.

Manoj and Pradeep, who had fled after committing the crime, were arrested from Bihar, according to the police. The Delhi Police had on May 24 filed a charge sheet against them under provisions of the POCSO Act relating to aggravated sexual assault and for offences including procuring a minor girl, kidnapping, wrongful confinement, attempt to murder and destruction of evidence under IPC.

(With additional information from PTI)