A day after the shocking rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl in Delhi’s Nehru Vihar, a seven-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in the Sabzi
Mandi police station area in North district, according to police on Monday.
After the girl told her parents about the horrific event, the suspect, named Mohammad Salim, faced the wrath of the enraged public and was beaten. The police were later notified, which resulted in the arrest of the accused, according to officials.
The victim has undergone a medical examination. Police have stated that while the suspect does not live directly next door, he does reside in the same neighborhood as the victim.
North Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Raja Banthia, said “Earlier this morning, around 10:15 to 10:30 am, we received a PCR call concerning a molestation incident involving a young girl that occurred the previous night. The girl provided her statement this morning.”
“She claimed that the incident transpired in the Sabzi Mandi area where her family resides. The accused is not an immediate neighbor but lives close by. After the girl told her mother about the incident, her mother informed her father. Following this, the public reacted strongly, and as seen in the photos, the accused was physically assaulted,” he added. This recent event occurred while the city was still shaken by the brutal murder of the 9-year-old, whose body was discovered stuffed in a suitcase in North-East Delhi.
The tragedy unfolded when she went out to fetch ice for Eid celebrations and was reported missing when she did not return home. After her father conducted a frantic search, he found her in a locked house belonging to a neighbour, hidden inside a suitcase. Though rushed to the hospital, she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Medical staff noted visible injuries and suspected sexual assault.
The accused neighbour is still at large and a case has been filed under applicable sections of the BNS and POCSO Act.
The incident has ignited protests in the locality, where the victim’s family and neighbours are demanding immediate justice while expressing alarm over the worsening law and order situation in the Capital.
Meanwhile, an AAP delegation-led by former CM and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Delhi Assembly Atishi, visited Nehru Vihar on Monday to meet the devastated family of the nine-year-old girl. Delhi State president Saurabh Bharadwaj, MLA Sanjeev Jha and leader Adil Khan also accompanied her, offering immediate support and vowed to fight for justice alongside the grieving family.
