Temple Staff Rape 12-Yr-Old Girl in MP, 2 Arrested

Bhopal: A 12-year-old girl was raped by two men employed by the trust managing Maa Sharda Devi Mandir in Maihar of Madhya Pradesh. The accused bit her body multiple times and also allegedly some stick-like thing in her private parts.

The incident occurred on Thursday. The accused were arrested on Friday.

The accused allegedly lured the girl and took her to an isolated place, where they raped and assaulted her. The profusely bleeding girl was admitted to a hospital in Rewa. Her body bore bites and injuries which pertain to sexual assault.

The accused were identified as Ravindra Kumar Ravi and Atul Bhadoliya. Both are aged 30.

The accused duo was booked under IPC sections 376 (punishment for rape), 376DB (punishment for gang rape on woman under 12 years of age), 366A (procuration of minor girl), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 34 (common intention) and relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Through a press statement, the Maa Sharda Devi Mandir Management Committee, Maihar stated that they have sacked both these temple employees.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed the police to take strict action against the accused and provide the best possible medical treatment to the girl.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath condemned the incident and said the victim was subjected to an inhuman attack that was reminiscent of the 2012 Nirbhaya case in Delhi.