Seven-year-old gets her molester arrested

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 24

Hats off to a seven-year-old girl, Gudiya (name changed), whose presence of mind enabled her to escape from the clutches of a molester. She also shared the incident with her parents, leading to the arrest of the accused.

The accused is a 49-year-old neighbour who tried to lure the child by promising her Rs 5 every day if she kept mum about the incident. The victim's parents called the 181 women helpline and with the Delhi Commission for Women’s intervention an FIR under Section 354 (sexual assault or using criminal force with intent to outrage a woman's modesty) of the IPC and POCSO was registered at the Kamla Nagar Market Police Station against the accused, who was arrested later.

“She showed courage and presence of mind in getting her molester arrested. She not only freed herself from the clutches of her molester, but also told her parents about the incident,” said a DCW official.

According to the commission, Gudiya was playing with two of her friends and they were aware that their neighbor had a pet cat. They wanted to go and see the cat.

“Gudiya’s friends waited outside while the accused took Gudiya inside saying that the cat was sleeping in the house. He started chatting with her and asked her about her relationship with her parents. Gudiya replied that she was taught in school that she should share everything with her parents,” said the official.

“The accused then tried to lure Gudiya by promising her Rs 5 every day if she kept silent. In a smart move Gudiya promised to do so. The accused then started molesting her. Understanding his intentions, she told him that she needed to use the bathroom,” said the official.

“The accused told her to use the bathroom in his house, but Gudiya insisted that she wanted to use the bathroom in her house only. She immediately ran out from his house and narrated the whole incident to her parents,” the official added.

DCW Chairperson Swati Jaihind praised the girl for her courage and urged the parents and teachers of the city to educate their children about the good touch and bad touch and also encourage the children to share such incidents with their elders. This can prevent many more incidents, she added.