A girl endured repeated sexual abuse from a distant relative beginning in 2021, when she was only 13 years old. He gained her trust by pretending to be in love and took her to his hometown for the assaults.
The matter surfaced recently when the girl was reported missing. When traced, she was placed in a girls’ observation home where her health deteriorated. Medical tests at Sassoon General Hospital confirmed the sexual abuse and revealing her HIV positive.
Samarth police registered a POCSO case against the absconding accused. Senior inspector Uttam Gitte said, “We are looking for the man. He will be medically examined once arrested. At present, we cannot comment on how the survivor contracted HIV.”
Police are searching for the suspect. The victim’s identity remains protected per Supreme Court directives.
