Minor Girl Drugged And Raped By A Neighbour In Delhi

With dreams and hope of a better future, Kashish (name changed), a resident of Nepal, came to Delhi two years back in search of better employment opportunities. She had never gone to school and worked as a housekeeper to support her family. The job would have helped her become independent she had thought until her dreams were crushed by a neighbour's lecherous gaze. On February 15, 2021, Kashish went to a photo studio near her home in East Delhi to get some pictures clicked. At the photo studio, the accused offered her water and Kashish soon lost consciousness. The accused took advantage of her situation and raped her.

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Narrating the incident, the victim's brother said,

He (accused) asked her if they could be friends but my sister declined the offer. It was a hot day and she was feeling thirsty so she asked him for some water. When he offered her the bottle, it was uncapped. She drank the water and became unconscious. When she finally gained consciousness, she found herself outside the photographer's house.

After a few months, Kashish started complaining of a stomach ache and visited a hospital. Upon checkup, it was discovered that she was seven months pregnant. Medical termination of pregnancy wasn't an option any longer. When Kashish delivered the baby, the hospital staff immediately informed the police and an FIR was registered against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act of 2012. The accused is now in judicial custody.

Also Read: 12-year-old From Madhya Pradesh Raped, Threatened With Murder, Found To Be 28 Weeks Pregnant

The trauma left Kashish scarred mentally as she struggled to come to terms with her life. Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation's (KSCF) sister organisation, Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) came to the rescue of Kashish. Not only was she provided with much-needed counselling support but to ensure that she could get necessary compensation as per provisions of the law, the BBA facilitated the creation of an Aadhar card and opened her bank account.

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Elaborating on the support provided to Kashish, Dhananjay Tingal, Executive Director, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, said,

BBA is supporting the child by providing her with mental health counselling and trauma counselling. We are ensuring that the child has received an interim compensation of Rs. 50,000. We have filed an application in the High Court asking for higher compensation for Kashish. One of the issues was that the family, from Nepal, had no documents, so, our team is closely working with them and also providing legal aid.

The case points out the need for children to be aware of sexual abuse as a crime and the need to report it without the fear of stigma. The case also portrays how delayed immediate relief can be a hindrance in providing mental and legal justice to the victim.

Also Read: Raped By A Relative, Young Girl Gets Compensation After Eight Harrowing Years

Justice For Every Child campaign will work to ensure legal and mental support to child victims of sexual abuse and rape and their families, Donate Now