Ziro: The Lower Subansiri police have arrested one Toko Rajesh (38) accused of raping a minor girl, aged 15, and evading police capture for over a week following the crime.
According to Lower Subansiri SP, Keni Bagra, the accused was taken into custody by the police on Tuesday evening.
After undergoing a routine medical examination, the accused was presented before the district court. Subsequently, the court granted a six-day police custody to facilitate further investigation into the matter.
The FIR pertaining to the case was lodged by the victim’s elder brother, with the victim being hospitalized at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS). The police obtained the victim’s audio-video statement at the hospital, though they are awaiting the medical report from the institution.
SP Bagra said that the case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He emphasized that the final judgment on the accused will be rendered upon submission of the investigation report to the court.
“With the grant of police custody, the ongoing police investigation will proceed, aiming for prompt completion. As the victim is now receiving medical care outside the state, her second statement is pending,” he stated.
When queried about potential accomplices in the case, Bagra stated that such details cannot be confirmed at this stage due to the ongoing investigation.
Similarly, he refuted any claims of the accused being a habitual offender, affirming that there were no prior cases involving the accused in district police records.
The SP also highlighted the cooperative stance of the accused’s family during the police search operation. They asserted that if the accused is found guilty, he should face legal consequences.
Earlier today, Likha Youth Association (LYA) General Secretary Likha Chada addressed the media, revealing that the incident transpired on the midnight of January 21.
Allegedly, the accused forcibly entered the victim’s rented residence and committed the assault before fleeing.
Consequently, LYA urged the district police to promptly apprehend the accused.
Upon receiving information about the incident, the accused’s younger brother filed an FIR at Ziro Women Police Station (WPS) on January 28. However, the case was officially registered on January 30.
LYA further appealed to state lawyers to support the victim’s family by refraining from advocating for the accused to obtain anticipatory bail.
Also read: Arunachal set to shine in Santosh Trophy as hosts, participants
