Bengaluru: A 30-year-old labourer was arrested in Bengaluru South district on Monday for allegedly sexually assaulting his minor daughter, who has a hearing impairment, police said.
The case came to light after the girl developed severe abdominal pain and was taken to a hospital by her stepmother. Doctors reportedly suspected that she had been sexually assaulted and alerted child protection authorities and the police.
The accused, who is originally from Bihar, was living with his family in a rented house in Harohalli. Police subsequently registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.
Girl taken to hospital after abdominal pain
According to police, the incident came to light after the girl developed abdominal pain about a week before the case was registered.
Her stepmother took her to a hospital for treatment. During the medical examination, doctors suspected that the child had been sexually assaulted and alerted the District Child Protection Unit and police authorities.
The girl’s hearing impairment initially created difficulties for investigators in obtaining details about the incident and identifying the person allegedly responsible.
Officials subsequently worked with a sign-language interpreter to communicate with the child as part of the investigation. Reports said that the girl was unable to clearly identify the alleged perpetrator during the initial stage of the inquiry.
Police initially registered POCSO case
Following the hospital’s alert, police registered a case under the POCSO Act against an unidentified person.
Investigators then began examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault and looking for evidence that could establish who was responsible.
Police examined CCTV footage from the area around the family’s rented residence and questioned people in the neighbourhood.
The investigation eventually led police to suspect the girl’s father, according to reports.
The accused was subsequently taken into custody and questioned.
Father arrested after police investigation
Police said the accused allegedly confessed to the offence during questioning. He was arrested on Monday and taken into police custody, according to The New Indian Express.
The Indian Express also reported that the police investigation included CCTV analysis and questioning of neighbours before suspicion fell on the girl’s father. He was subsequently arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
The alleged confession is part of the police investigation and will be subject to the legal process.
The accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Family circumstances examined
Police said the accused had been living in Harohalli and working as a labourer.
The survivor is reportedly the daughter of his first wife, who had died several years ago. The accused later remarried and was living with his second wife and children.
The family circumstances became part of the investigation after the girl was taken to hospital and the alleged assault was brought to the attention of authorities.
The reports do not indicate that any other family member has been accused in connection with the case.
Hearing impairment posed communication challenge
One of the challenges faced by investigators was communicating with the hearing-impaired child.
According to reports, officials initially found it difficult to obtain details about the incident. A sign-language interpreter was subsequently involved to facilitate communication with the girl.
The case highlights the additional challenges that can arise when investigating offences involving children with communication or other disabilities.
Child protection authorities and police have procedures to ensure that vulnerable survivors can communicate their experiences during investigations without unnecessary distress.
In this case, the medical examination and subsequent investigation provided police with the basis to pursue the case.
Investigation continues under POCSO Act
The case has been registered under the POCSO Act, which provides a legal framework for dealing with sexual offences against children.
Once a case is registered, investigators are required to collect evidence, record relevant statements and establish the circumstances of the alleged offence before completing the investigation.
The police investigation in this case included CCTV footage, neighbourhood inquiries and questioning of the accused.
Further legal proceedings will determine the charges and evidence to be considered by the court.
The identity of the minor survivor has not been disclosed, in accordance with legal protections for children involved in sexual-offence cases.
Child protection authorities alerted
The involvement of the hospital and District Child Protection Unit followed the medical examination of the girl.
Such coordination is important in cases involving suspected offences against children because medical professionals can alert authorities when injuries or other findings raise concerns about possible abuse.
The case also demonstrates the role of hospitals in identifying suspected child sexual abuse and initiating contact with child protection authorities.
Once police were alerted, investigators began gathering evidence to identify the alleged perpetrator.
Police action follows evidence gathering
Rather than immediately naming a suspect, police initially registered the case against an unidentified person and investigated the available evidence.
The subsequent review of CCTV footage and questioning of people familiar with the area reportedly led investigators to focus on the girl’s father.
The accused was then questioned and arrested.
The sequence illustrates the investigative process described in the reports, although the final determination of guilt will depend on the evidence presented before the court.
Conclusion
A 30-year-old labourer was arrested in Bengaluru South for allegedly sexually assaulting his minor daughter, who has a hearing impairment. The case came to light after the girl developed abdominal pain and doctors suspected sexual assault.
Police initially registered a POCSO case against an unidentified person before examining CCTV footage, questioning neighbours and investigating the family circumstances. The girl’s father was subsequently suspected, questioned and arrested.
The investigation and legal proceedings are continuing. The allegations against the accused remain subject to the judicial process.