Nandurbar: An awareness session on ‘Good Touch, Bad Touch’ at an ashram school in Maharashtra’s Nandurbar district led to the disclosure of the alleged sexual assault of two minor sisters in Surat, following which police arrested a 56-year-old construction labour contractor.
The younger, 11-year-old girl reportedly approached a woman officer during the August 25 awareness session and disclosed that she had allegedly been raped by a man identified as Piriya Valvi. She also told school authorities that her 14-year-old elder sister had allegedly been assaulted by the same man.
Girls allegedly assaulted during school vacation
According to police, the sisters had travelled to Surat in May to stay with their mother during their school vacation. Their 39-year-old mother was working as a construction labourer at a site in Udhna, where Valvi had employed her.
Police alleged that while the mother was away at work, Valvi visited the family’s residence and sexually assaulted the girls on separate occasions. He allegedly threatened them with serious consequences if they spoke about the incidents.
After their vacation, the sisters returned to their ashram school in Nandurbar.
Awareness session encourages disclosure
During the school’s awareness programme, the younger girl spoke about the alleged assault. She also complained of abdominal pain.
School authorities informed the girl’s mother, who travelled to Nandurbar and spoke privately with her daughter. The mother then learnt that her elder daughter had allegedly faced a similar assault.
The elder girl subsequently confirmed the allegation to her mother.
Police register case and begin investigation
Nandurbar police initially registered a zero FIR before transferring the case to Udhna police in Surat, where the alleged offences took place.
Udhna police arrested Valvi under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Police have arranged medical examinations for both girls and are awaiting the reports. Valvi, who is married and has two sons, lives with his family in Udhna.
The case has highlighted how age-appropriate child safety awareness programmes can provide children with an opportunity to speak about abuse and seek help from trusted adults.