Patiala: Sexually abused by stepdad, teen tries to end life

PATIALA: A 13-year-old girl consumed poison after allegedly facing repeated sexual harassment from her stepfather.
The police have had a medical examination done on the minor at a government hospital and the reports are awaited.

The girl’s mother said her daughter is a Class VIII student and goes to a government school in the district. She alleged that her husband used to harass the girl sexually almost every day and the girl had objected to this numerous times, however, the man continued to do so.
“My daughter revealed her ordeal to me a few days ago, following which I warned my husband. On Saturday, I was out for work when my husband again sexually harassed my daughter following which she consumed poison. I had got married to the accused around six years ago after I lost my first husband to an ailment. I have a five-year-old son from my second marriage,” said the mother who is taking care of her daughter at the hospital.
She alleged that the accused had on various occasions even torn the clothes of the minor and forced her to remain naked at home. She said that the accused would often touch her daughter inappropriately and physically assault her after coming home heavily drunk.
The police said the medical examination of the girl has been conducted, but the final reports are still awaited. The statement of the girl’s mother has been recorded while the minor’s version would be taken in the presence of the district child protection committee once she is deemed fit for it, said the cops.
The police said the 28-year-old accused is yet to be arrested. Meanwhile, a case under the charges of abettment to suicide and hurting the modesty of woman of the Indian Penal Code and the relevant sections of the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act will be registered against the accused soon, police said.