Teen Girl Raped Again After Authorities Return Her to Accused’s Home
In a deeply troubling case from Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district, a 15-year-old child who was raped was subjected to a second sexual assault after being sent back to the home of her accused rapist, an act facilitated by the very authorities meant to protect her.
The teenager had initially gone missing on January 16, 2025, after leaving school. Her family filed a missing person report, and she was eventually traced to Gurugram, Haryana, a month later.
The accused, found with her, was arrested and charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Following this, the affected child was referred to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Panna for rehabilitation and placed at a One Stop Center (OSC).
However, in a shocking breach of protocol, the CWC later transferred her to the home of her cousin, who happened to be the sister-in-law of the accused.
By this time, the accused had been released on bail and assaulted the child again. Investigations revealed that the CWC had bypassed mandatory procedures under the Juvenile Justice Act, including the crucial step of obtaining a social investigation report to assess the safety of the placement.
The affected child disclosed the repeated abuse during a counselling session at the OSC, but staff members and district officials attempted to suppress her revelations.
It was only after media reports brought the case to light that police action followed. An FIR was registered against ten individuals, including the CWC chairperson, committee members, and officials from the Women and Child Development Department.
Charges were filed under various sections of the POCSO Act, including Section 17 for abetment and Section 21 for failure to report the abuse.
This case is a violation of the child’s right to protection from sexual abuse. Every child has the right to safety and dignity, and it is the State’s duty to ensure no child is ever placed in harm’s way, especially by those entrusted with their care.
The failure of these systems not only endangered the affected child but also betrayed the very principles they are meant to uphold.
