Recently, when the news arrived of a five-year-old girl came to light, the Nagpada police in Central Mumbai not only did inspect the matter entirely but also nabbed the 15-year-old accused. The authorities also took it upon themselves to support the rehabilitation of the child.

Many of the cops from the station contributed a sum of Rs. 11 lakhs which will be deposited as a fixed deposit (FD). This amount will be used for the further development of the child. The child will also receive free education till Class X at a well-known private school near Mumbai Central.

The officers have gone beyond their call of duty to extend support to a traumatised child. This step of theirs will be counted as a precedent for all those who want to come forward in helping such girl victims out of such dire atrocities.

The senior inspector at the police station said, 'The victim's father is a daily wage labourer and mother a housewife. They come from a very poor economic status. As a result, the police staff decided to give a monthly sum for the victim. The fund was raised keeping in mind the future requirements of the child. The fund has been developed in a manner that the girl's family gets some interest every year that will be used for educational requirements.

The police has also secured the support of school to support the educational needs of the minor. The cops also approached the school authorities to secure the admission of the child. The authorities have ensured that they will dispense free education to the child. In case, she wants to pursue graduation from a similar affiliation of the school authorities, it will also be managed for the child. The documents required for the girl's admission were handed over to the child's parents.

The alleged was detained on account of kidnapping the girl, taking her to a secluded place inside a civic school compound, and raping her. He was also booked for punishment for voluntarily causing hurt. Sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act have been invoked. The rapist was identified from the CCTV footage in the area.

The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court's directives on cases related to sexual assault.

This wonderful step taken up by the police is being well-praised. It's important to note here that the step extended for one shall be coupled with the support to the maximum girl victims on account of such atrocities.

We need to realise that rape victims should not be met with shame from society. It is merely an accident just like all other accidents. When shame is not attached with other accidents then why alone with rape? Legislation cannot identify and solve the problems always. The change in the sensitivity and attitude pattern of the society shall contribute for a change.

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Reference:

• m.edexlive.com
• newsdrum.in