8-year-old girl raped by father; accused arrested

By Sumesh Rajan | March 17, 2025

 

Delhi, India – A shocking case of sexual assault has emerged from Sadar Bazaar, a prominent wholesale market in Old Delhi, where an eight-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her own  father. The crime was reported to authorities on March 8, leading to the swift arrest of the accused, a vegetable vendor.

 

Incident and Investigation

The case came to light when the girl’s mother, also a vegetable vendor, approached the police after noticing her daughter in pain and bleeding. Upon questioning, the child revealed that her father had sexually assaulted her earlier that morning while her mother and ten-year-old brother were away at Azadpur vegetable market.

 

A medical examination confirmed the assault, following which the girl received medical treatment and is currently stable. She is now undergoing counselling from child welfare experts to help her cope with the trauma.

 

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Authorities launched an immediate search for the accused, who had gone into hiding. With the assistance of local residents, police tracked him down in the vicinity. Enraged by the crime, some locals reportedly confronted and assaulted him before handing him over to law enforcement.

 

The accused was taken into custody and produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody. Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The investigation is ongoing.

 

Rising Crimes Against Children

This case underscores the disturbing rise in crimes against minors in India. According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics, 162,449 cases of crimes against children were registered in 2022, reflecting an 8.7% increase from the previous year. Among these, 45.7% involved kidnapping and abduction, while 39.7% fell under the POCSO Act.

Experts emphasize the need for psychological support for child victims, particularly when the perpetrator is a close relative. “Many young victims struggle to comprehend the abuse they have suffered. Long-term counselling and mental health interventions are crucial for their recovery,” said a member of an NGO assisting the Delhi Police in such cases.

 

Authorities continue to investigate the incident, urging communities to remain vigilant and report any signs of abuse to protect vulnerable children.