12-year-old minor battles for life after being repeatedly raped by Pastor uncle, left pregnant

Darjeeling: The Darjeeling Police have launched a man hunt for a Pastor who is absconding. The Pastor is accused of having repeatedly raped his 12-year-old niece over a long period of time leaving her pregnant. The Pastor's wife has been arrested.

The incident occurred at a tea garden near Darjeeling. On February 26, Seesan Rai, the 48-year-old Pastor had visited the hospital accompanying his niece who used to live with him. The former had been complaining of certain complications.

On examination, the doctor declared that the 12-year-old was 6 months pregnant. On returning home, the victim had narrated the incident to her sister. The sister, in turn, informed another uncle, Mausam Rai, who resides in Delhi. On Friday, the victim's neighbours called the police. Mausam Rai lodged an FIR. The Pastor is absconding. "We have started a case at the Women's Police Station, Darjeeling under Section 6/17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

Chandrika Rai, the wife of the prime accused has been arrested. "We have launched a man hunt for Seesan Rai," stated Akhilesh Chaturvedi, Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling.

This is not the first time that Seesan Rai has been accused of such a crime. In the past also he has been implicated in a similar case. The victim was admitted to a hospital in Darjeeling. "We have successfully aborted the foetus. She is under observation but out of danger and is recovering," stated the doctor.