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Dalit girl missing for two yrs, Pilibhit cops file case after PMO intervenes

After the incident, when the mother went to the police station, policemen refused to entertain her complaint.

TWO YEARS after a 16-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly kidnapped from outside a hospital in Pilibhit district, the state police have finally lodged an FIR in the case following intervention from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Taking cognisance of a letter sent by the missing minor’s mother, the PMO had directed the police to initiate action in July. On Thursday, the police detained the main accused’s father, who claimed that his son and the minor girl got married and are currently staying in Punjab.

The FIR, lodged at the Dhuria police station in July, comes more than five months after the minor’s family left their native village. Police have now launched a hunt to trace the family to begin the investigation. The case has been lodged against the victim’s 23-year-old neighbour and his father on charges of kidnapping, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

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“In her letter sent to PMO on September 23, 2015, the girl’s mother stated that her daughter had been kidnapped and had been untraceable for the last two years. We lodged the FIR on July 19. We are looking for the victim’s mother who, along with other family members, has left the village,” said Circle Officer (City) Nirmal Kumar Bisht, who is also the investigating officer of the case. He added that according to primary investigation, the accused had also been untraceable for the last two years.

The girl’s family includes her mother, two elder brothers and their wives. The family has seven bigha land and they are dependent on the farm produce.

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When contacted, the village pradhan said, “The girl was kidnapped around two years ago when she, along with her mother, had gone to visit her ailing sister-in-law at the hospital. Her mother had told us that some miscreants had taken the girl forcibly from outside the hospital.”

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After the incident, when the mother went to the police station, policemen refused to entertain her complaint. She then wrote to all senior administrative and police officials and also to the PMO and the Chief Minister’s Office seeking help, the pradhan said, adding that the woman had accused the father and son duo of kidnapping her daughter.

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“The girl’s family left the village five months ago. They have given their land to some acquaintance in the village and will get half of the produce. The house is locked,” the pradhan said. He claimed the family was now staying at a rented accommodation in Pilibhit only. “But we never visited them. Police have called me to give information about the family and the case,” he added.

Asked why the police did not lodge the case for two years, Pilibhit SP Muniraj said, “I have joined here recently. The investigation will find out the reason behind police not lodging the FIR for two years. Action will be initiated on the basis of the findings.”

 

First uploaded on: 29-07-2016 at 04:30 IST
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