Raigarh Senior Student Held for Rape of Minor Girl at Her Home

Chhattisgarh crime news: Accused senior student threatened to defame the minor after assaulting her when she was alone; booked under POCSO Act.

A 16-year-old girl’s ordeal of repeated harassment and intimidation by a senior student from her locality has culminated in an arrest, after her family finally lodged a complaint with the Mahila thana late on Tuesday evening. The police have taken the accused, identified as Aaryan Soni, into custody on charges of rape and criminal intimidation.

The Assault

According to the complaint filed by the victim’s mother, the incident first took place in October last year. The survivor, a minor, was alone at her residence in the Jutmill police station area when Soni, a known senior, allegedly forced himself on her. He reportedly exploited the fact that she was isolated and committed the crime. The family told police that Soni and his friends were previously familiar with them and would visit the house, making the betrayal more shocking.

Threats and Continued Harassment

Instead of backing off, the situation escalated for the survivor in November. Police sources say the accused attempted to assault the girl for a second time. When she resisted, the accused and his associates began a campaign of fear over the phone.

“The victim was repeatedly called and threatened that she would be defamed in the locality if she spoke out. Obscene language was used to intimidate her,” an official familiar with the probe said. Living under the constant shadow of this threat, the minor remained silent for several weeks, unable to confide in anyone initially.

Breaking the Silence

The pressure finally broke when the accused’s phone calls became more aggressive. Terrified of being branded and humiliated publicly, the girl eventually broke down and narrated the entire sequence of events—from the initial assault in October to the repeated threats—to her mother. Following this, the family immediately approached the Mahila police station to register a formal complaint.

POCSO Charges and Arrest

Taking cognisance of the serious nature of the allegations, police registered a case under multiple stringent laws. Officials confirmed that sections 64(1), 332, 351(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked alongside Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which deals with penetrative sexual assault.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team apprehended the senior student on Wednesday. He was produced before a local court, which remanded him to judicial custody. He has been sent to the district jail.

Message from Police Top Brass

Following the arrest, Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shashi Mohan Singh reiterated the police’s zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women and minors. “We urge victims to come forward without any fear. Strict action is being taken against the accused in this case,” the SSP stated, adding that the investigation is active and ongoing.