Man held for alleged rape of deaf and mute minor

A 35-year-old man was arrested, on Monday, for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old deaf-and-mute girl who lives with her family at the railway colony in North Delhi’s Sarai Rohilla area.

The accused is a neighbour of the girl and is presently unemployed. The girl, who was allegedly raped in March, was also reported to be three-months pregnant and the process of terminating her pregnancy has been initiated, said a police official.

The incident came to light on June 7, when the girl’s mother asked her to follow her to the terrace of their residence for some work and she refused. She later started crying, which turned her mother suspicious. 

After being coaxed for a long time, she narrated her ordeal through the sign language. It was her mother, who reported the matter to the police.

During her medical examination, the doctors confirmed rape and also informed about her pregnancy. After registering an FIR, the police immediately arranged for counselling of the girl and also had to get a sign language interpreter for the purpose.

During counselling, the girl reportedly confided that earlier in March, while she was sitting on the terrace of her house, the accused approached her and showed her an obscene clip on his mobile phone. 

He also took her to the staircase, where he allegedly assaulted her and also threatened her of dire consequences if she reported the matter to anyone.

The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the IPC and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (<g data-gr-id="23">POCSO</g>) Act, the police official added.