Uttarakhand News: In a deeply troubling incident in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, a 74-year-old grocery shop owner has been arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl. Following a complaint lodged by the victims grandmother, the police swiftly apprehended the accused, identified as Upendra Chaudhary, after uncovering significant evidence during their initial investigation.The Victims Harrowing ExperienceAccording to police reports, a senior woman approached the authorities on Wednesday to report that her granddaughter had gone missing after visiting a nearby shop for groceries on Tuesday. The girl had not returned home for an extended period, prompting her family to search for her. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Chaudhary was seen leaving his house around the same time. When questioned by the grandmother about the girls whereabouts, he allegedly called her into his shop.It is reported that inside the shop, Chaudhary forcibly assaulted the young girl. Disturbingly, when she attempted to resist, he threatened her with severe consequences. Witnesses claim that he became aggressive when she objected to his advances.A Vulnerable Victim with No Parental SupportThe victim is particularly vulnerable she is an orphan living with her aunt in Kankhal and had only recently moved to her grandmothers home. This tragic situation highlights not only the crime itself but also the broader issues of child safety and protection in society.Police Action and Legal ProceedingsKamalmohan Bhandari, the officer in charge at the local police station, confirmed that after gathering preliminary evidence, they arrested Chaudhary under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and related charges of rape. The police have begun recording statements from the victim in court as part of the ongoing investigation.Another Arrest: A Fugitive Accused of Rape CapturedIn a separate but equally alarming case from Haridwar, police apprehended Sachin Kumar, a man wanted for raping a female coworker. Kumar had been evading arrest despite a reward of ₹5,000 for information leading to his capture. The victim reported that during their friendship, Kumar exploited her trust and coerced her into sexual relations while threatening to share explicit photos and videos if she resisted.Following her complaint last month, which came after a personal tragedy—the death of her ill husband—police registered a case but could not locate Kumar until his recent capture at Salem Pur Chowk.These incidents underscore the urgent need for heightened vigilance and protective measures for minors and vulnerable individuals in society.
