21-year-old booked for raping minor

PATIALA: A 21-year-old man has been booked on charges of abduction and rape of a minor after he failed to keep his promise to marry her and got hitched to someone else, a month ago.

In March 2016, the accused allegedly abducted a minor on the pretext of marriage and took her to Uttar Pradesh.

The girl's family traced them in UP after they came to know about their whereabouts. The family of the accused convinced the girl's family to not to file any complaint and promised to marry their son off to her.

Following this, the accused was engaged to the girl and a wedding date was also fixed with the help of a priest. Wedding cards were also distributed.

However, a week before the wedding date, the accused's family married him off to another woman in November this year.

Based on the complaint of the girl's family, police have now registered a case under sections of rape and abduction, and also sections of Protection of Children Against Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) at Pasiana police station. "We have booked the accused and will soon arrest him. The family lodged a complaint with the police only on Sunday and we, immediately, registered a case against the accused," said the woman investigating officer at Pasiana police station.

"My sister was abducted and then, raped by the accused. He works as a salesman at a sweet shop. His family had promised his marriage with my sister but has now married him off to another woman." said girl's brother, who works as a labourer.