Bantwal: The Bantwal Rural Police have arrested a 50-year-old man for allegedly sexually exploiting a minor girl in the neighbourhood. The accused has been identified as Abubakkar, a resident of the same locality.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on March 29 at around 5 p.m. when the girl was playing outside. Abubakkar allegedly lured her to the sit-out behind an unoccupied house nearby and committed sexual assault.
Following the complaint, a case was registered at Bantwal Rural Police Station under Crime No. 135/2025. The charges invoked include Sections 64(1) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 4(2) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Police said the accused was taken into custody, produced before the court, and remanded to judicial custody.
Public outrage leads to assault
The incident sparked widespread anger in the locality. Reports indicate that some residents physically assaulted the accused after news of the crime spread. In connection with this, the police registered a separate case under Crime No. 136/2025, invoking Sections 126(2), 115(2), and 351(1) of the BNS.
Conclusion: Police urge restraint
Police have urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, assuring that justice will be ensured through due legal process. The case is under further investigation.