Itanagar: The Capital police have filed a charge sheet against a man accused of repeatedly raping a 17-year-old girl with intellectual disability in Itanagar, under stringent provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act.
According to police sources, a written complaint was lodged on March 28 by the elder sister of the victim, a resident of Chimpu, alleging that her minor sister had been sexually assaulted multiple times by Jipe Bui, a co-tenant residing in the same building.
The complainant stated that on March 23, when the victim was not seen for an extended period, she called out to her from the terrace. The accused reportedly emerged from his room, followed by the victim. Two days later, the girl complained of pain in her private parts and, upon being questioned, revealed that she had been raped multiple times and threatened into silence.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered at the Itanagar Women Police Station under Section 64(2) of the BNS read with Sections 6, 10, and 12 of the POCSO Act.
During the investigation, police observed that the victim displayed signs of cognitive and adaptive difficulties. Her statement under Section 180 of the BNSS was recorded in the presence of her family members. When produced before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Yupia, for recording her testimony under Section 183(6)(a) of the BNSS, the court directed that a Special Educator be present, in accordance with POCSO provisions.
However, no officially appointed Special Educator was available through the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Child Protection Officer, or Oju Mission Welfare Association at that time. In an effort to uphold the court’s directive, the investigating officer personally arranged and bore the cost of a private Special Educator, who assisted in recording the victim’s statement.
As the victim lacked prior medical records, she was referred to the Specialist Medical Board at TRIHMS Hospital, Naharlagun, for comprehensive psychological and medical evaluation. The board, comprising a child psychiatrist, gynaecologist and clinical psychologist, concluded that the girl suffers from Mild Intellectual Disability with a mental age of approximately 8 years, significantly impairing her reasoning and comprehension.
Police said the findings underscored the victim’s special vulnerability at the time of the crime.
A charge sheet was submitted on May 10 against the accused under Sections 64(2) and 351(2) of the BNS read with Sections 6, 10, and 12 of the POCSO Act. The case is now pending before the competent court.
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