The girl's body is yet to be found as the boys were changing their versions about its whereabouts every day, Home Minister Anitha said.
Published Jul 16, 2024 | 10:53 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 16, 2024 | 10:53 AM
Sexual assault. Representational Image. (iStock)
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V Anitha has said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had sanctioned a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the kin of the minor girl who was gang-raped in Nandyal district.
Three boys allegedly gang-raped the nine-year-old girl and then pushed her into the Mucchumarri Lift Irrigation Canal in Mucchumarri village. She was last seen playing in a park in the village.
“The Chief Minister has sanctioned a financial assistance of ₹10 lakh to the kin of the minor girl,” Anitha said in a press release on Monday, 15 July.
The girl’s body is yet to be found as the boys were changing their versions about its whereabouts every day, she said.
Police and National Disaster Response Force personnel continue to search for the body, she added.
Meanwhile, police decided to arrest the boys and produce them in a juvenile court.
A senior official observed that though the minor boys have “confessed” to raping the girl, it is important to find the body and scientifically prove the offence.
“They have confessed, and we have the confession statement also. If the body is found then the prosecution side will get a conviction easily. That is a major thing,” the official said.
Police are also tapping technical data to check if anybody else is involved in the crime.
The CM also sanctioned an amount of ₹5 lakh for an infant girl who was allegedly raped by a male relative in Vizianagaram district recently, Anitha said.
She said the money would be deposited as a fixed amount in favour of the infant.
According to police, the six-month-old infant was allegedly “molested” on Saturday last by Dora, 40, who was a grandfather-like figure, in Ramabhadrapuram village of the district.
“When the infant’s mother went outside to buy vegetables, Dora went into the house and molested her,” an official said. The offence is being treated as “rape” as per new BNS rules, he added.
Dora was arrested under BNS Section 65 (2) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Section 5 (M) read with 6, and later sent on remand.
Police said the entire incident happened in about 10 minutes and Dora tried to feign ignorance by stating that he was drunk.
(With PTI inputs)
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