Delhi Government Official and Wife Arrested in Alleged Minor Rape Case

New Delhi: A senior official of Delhi’s Women and Child Development department was taken into custody on Monday on charges of raping a minor girl, who was 14 at the time of the alleged incidents and is now 17. The accused, Premoday Khakha, held the position of deputy director and had been serving as a guardian to the survivor since her father’s demise in October 2020.

The accused is said to have committed multiple acts of sexual assault on the girl between November 2020 and January 2021, while she resided with his family. Disturbingly, the survivor referred to him as ‘mama’ (maternal uncle). Shockingly, it’s reported that the girl’s guardians, including the accused’s wife, administered abortion pills after she became pregnant due to the abuse.

The survivor, presently a 12th-grade student, confided in healthcare professionals after suffering panic attacks following the abortion procedure. Swift action was taken by the Delhi Police, who filed an FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused’s wife is also facing charges for her alleged involvement in administering the abortion pills.

With the survivor receiving medical care and support, Swati Maliwal, Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, voiced concern about the investigation’s pace, questioning the delay in the accused’s arrest. She emphasized the urgency of delivering justice in such grave cases through her social media account.

Responding to the situation, the Delhi government suspended the accused official as per Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s directive. While the survivor continues her recovery process, efforts are underway to facilitate her testimony in front of a magistrate, ensuring a secure and legal platform for her to share her experience.