Photographer held for molesting nine-year-old girl in Rajkot

RAJKOT: A 54-year-old photographer living on Krishnanagar main road in Rajkot was arrested on Monday evening for allegedly molesting a nine-year-old girl living in the same neighbourhood.
According to police, the accused Ashok Poriya called the girl when she was playing outside her house on October 30. As the girl knew Poriya, she went with him inside his house and the accused locked the door. Poriya started touching the girl inappropriately. The little girl was shocked and started crying. A scared Poriya immediately let the girl go back to her house.
Since the day of the crime, the girl remained silent due to the trauma and would not mingle much or go outside to play. On Monday, when her mother had a doubt, she asked the girl if something had happened or whether anyone had scolded her. The girl then told her mother about how Poriya took her to his home and touched her, which scared her.
The girl’s mother too was shocked on hearing about what had transpired and approached the police. Based on her complaint, an offence of sexual assault and under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered at Malaviyanagar police station. By late evening, Poriya too was arrested.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)