A minor girl returning home after attending the Independence Day function at her school was allegedly raped by a man, the police said. The victim, aged 12 years, was admitted to a government hospital for medical examination and treatment.
The incident happened near the children's traffic park, located in the heart of the city, this morning. Chandigarh's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Eish Singhal and other police officers, who were attending the main I-Day function at Parade Ground in Sector 17, rushed to the spot.
Police officials said the victim said the assaulter dragged her near a 'nallah' (seasonal stream) passing through the traffic park and raped her at knife-point. Police have lodged an FIR under relevant charges of rape and various sections of Protection Of Children from Sexual offences (POCSO) Act at Sector 17 police station.
"The accused, aged around 40 years, forcibly took the 12 -year-old girl to the park, sexually assaulted her and fled," Investigating Officer in the case, Sub-Inspector Kuldeep was quoted as saying by PTI.
The victim, a student of Class 8 of a government school, was taken to a government hospital in Sector 16 for a medical examination, the officer said, adding a case has been registered.
The incident happened despite Chandigarh being on high alert on Independence Day. Government officers, some of them having security, live in the vicinity of the main gate of the traffic park.
SSP Singhal said further probe in the case was under progress. "We have registered an FIR, suspect has been rounded up and investigation is underway. Girl is in stable condition," he said.
(With agencies)
