Minor found over six months pregnant; six arrested in Assam's Majuli

Six persons, including two juveniles, have been arrested in Assam's Majuli district after a 12-year-old girl was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual assaults over several months and was found to be over 6 months pregnant, police said.


The arrests were made following a complaint lodged by the victim's family at Garamur Police Station on June 1. According to investigators, the accused allegedly took advantage of the absence of family members at the girl's residence and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions. The victim was also allegedly threatened with death if she disclosed the assaults.


Police said the pregnancy came to light only recently, prompting the family to approach the authorities. Medical examinations indicated that the girl was around 11 years old when the alleged abuse began. She turned 12 approximately four months ago.


Police have identified the four adult accused as Khagen Doley (59), Dharmakanta Pegu (50), Yogen Doley (52) and Nathuram Doley (32). Two juveniles have also been named as accused in the case and are being dealt with under the provisions of the juvenile justice system.


A case has been registered under Sections 61(2)(a) (criminal conspiracy), 65(1) (rape) and 351(3) (criminal intimidation by threatening death) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), read with Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which pertains to aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a child.


The four adult accused were produced before a local court on Monday, June 2, and remanded to judicial custody for two days. Police said the investigation is ongoing and further evidence is being collected.


Meanwhile, the victim has been shifted to a state-run shelter home, where she is receiving medical care and counselling.