"the victim child was sexually abused and became pregnant"
A 12-year-old Indian domestic helper was allegedly set on fire after getting pregnant.
The shocking incident happened in Assam.
It was alleged that her employers raped the girl. When they found out she became pregnant as a result of the sexual abuse, they burnt her alive.
Police have since arrested the suspects. They have been identified as 70-year-old Prakash Borthakur and his 25-year-old son, Nayanmoni.
The Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) reported that the child was pregnant. The commission stated:
“After the arrest of the culprit, the Commission has been also informed by the neighbours of the accused that the victim child was sexually abused and became pregnant before she was killed.”
The commission has also instructed the police to investigate the case on a priority base, in order to prepare the charge sheet against the culprits.
The commission added:
“This is a case of heinous offence and one where a child has been murdered and the Commission has taken the case very seriously.
“The SP, Nagaon has assured the Commission that the charge sheet will be prepared on a fast track mode and justice shall be delivered.”
Burning a minor alive for being pregnant after the repeated assault is a heinous crime of its kind.
The case created a heap and various organisations have come out and raised their voices for the child.
Many organisations gathered outside the residence of the culprits to protest after the body of the domestic helper was found.
Taking to social media, the director-general of police for the state, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta also revealed the details of the case.
Giving the updates of the case, the director-general of police wrote on Twitter:
“As per her employer, the girl committed suicide.
“However, after initial inspection, it is suspected that she was murdered and then burnt.
“She was also underage to be working as domestic help.”
“Therefore, two accused were taken to custody immediately. The investigation is on.”
The ASCPCR has written a letter to the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police for the case to be fast-tracked.
The Commission has requested to file the case as per the POCSO Act, 2012, The Child and Adolescent Labour Act, 1986, Juvenile Justice (Care and protection of children) Act, 2015, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).