Youth held for sexually assaulting minor in Telangana, villagers set his house on fire

Hyderabad: A 20-year-old youth was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl in Guravannapet village in Komuravelli mandal in Siddipet district of Telangana, police said.

The accused identified as MD Sharboddin (20), a driver. After noticing the girl alone, he entered the girl's house. The accused allegedly sexually assaulted her and threatened her not to disclose it with her parents.

The girl felt sick after coming from the school on Saturday and her parents inquired about it. Then the girl disclosed that she was sexually assaulted by Sharboddin. Later, some villagers "attacked" the house of the accused and "set it on fire".

Based on a complaint, a case was registered under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and the accused was arrested and sent to judicial remand, a senior police official said.

The girl was taken to a government hospital for a medical examination. The police recorded the statements of the victim and her parents.

A man in the village posted about the incident on social media platforms, disturbing peace following which a case was booked against him, the official said.

After learning about the incident through social media posts, some villagers formed into a group and allegedly set the house of the accused on fire and also "damaged" a car. Police have registered cases against them.

The situation was now peaceful in the village, the official said, and requested people not to believe rumours and also not to take the law into their own hands.

Jangaon MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, who came to know about the sexual assault on the girl through the locals, immediately called Siddipet Police Commissioner Anuradha and asked him to take strict action against the accused.