SRINAGAR: Police in Rajouri district have arrested eight men in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a 15-year-old girl in a village under Dharamsal Police Station, while one accused remains absconding.
Officials said the incident came to light after the victim confided in her parents, narrating that she had been gang-raped by nine individuals who also threatened her with dire consequences if she revealed the crime. Following a written complaint by the parents, police registered FIR No. 65/2025 at Dharamsal Police Station under sections 64(2)(m), 65(1), 70(2), 49 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, including Sections 5(g)/6, 9(g)/10, 11(v)/12, and 16/17.
Raids were conducted at multiple locations, leading to the arrest of eight accused persons. The arrested have been identified as Tridev, son of Reshpal, resident of Chatta Siot; Kulbir Singh, son of Kikar Singh, resident of Bakher; Hrithik Sharma, son of Ashok Kumar, resident of Kheri Dharat, Tehsil Nowshera; Karan Kumar, son of Om Prakash, resident of Siot; Kashish Verma alias Manik, son of Koushal Kumar; Parul Sharma alias Abhishek, son of Sushil Kumar (both from Jaba Hanjana, Nowshera); Rakesh Kumar, son of Gayan Chand, resident of Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh; and Sumit Kumar, son of Dev Raj, resident of Dhangar Dharamsal.
Police said that efforts are on to trace the ninth accused. “A manhunt is underway, and he will be arrested soon,” an official stated.
The case has triggered strong concern in the area, with police assuring that the investigation will be pursued vigorously to ensure justice for the survivor.
