Palghar Rape Case- Women Commission Asks Cops To Take Stringent Action

The eight men raped a 16-year-old girl in a village in the Palghar district in Maharashtra on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has taken suo moto cognizance of the alleged rape and directed police to take stern action against the offenders, asked the panel's chairperson, Rupali Chakankar.

The accused, including a friend of the minor, raped her at an unoccupied bungalow in the beach village. Later took her to the seashore where she was again sexually assaulted, as per a police official.

Palghar Rape Case

The survivor filed a case. So far, the police arrested the eight accused on Sunday and registered a case against them under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections such as 376 (D) (gang-rape), 366 (A) (procuration of minor girl), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Chakankar in a video message informed that the commission came to know about the incident through social media and has taken suo moto cognisance of the same. Further added that the
commission has directed the Palghar district superintendent of police to take strict action immediately against the accused. She also ensured that the accused will be convicted and added that the commission always makes efforts to not let happen such events.

She added, "We all should try to ensure such incidents do not occur and it is the responsibility of the Parents Teachers' Associations and others in the society to educate girls as they grow up about the hazards of such a friendship."

'Damini squad' (women's cell of police) is an effort of the commission that counsels girls in schools and colleges. It informs them about the pros and cons of the use of social media.

The Palghar police in an official release pointed out that the girl's parents searched for her when she did not return on Saturday. The survivor kept crying when she spoke on a call with her kin, then police were approached, who traced the girl thereafter. The accused arrested will be in police custody till December 22.

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