Man arrested for raping minor in Telangana, locals burn down house

HYDERABAD: The tension is gripping Guravannapet In Siddipet district on Sunday after locals set fire to the house of a 20-year-old man for allegedly raping a seven-year-old girl in the village. The defendant was arrested and taken into custody.
The mob not only set the house on fire but also destroyed two vehicles, an excavator and a car, belonging to the defendant's family. Police arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.
According to Komuravelli police, the woman was sexually assaulted by an ITI student who also worked as a driver underage girl in his neighborhood while she was home alone on Saturday. Following a complaint from her family, a rape case was registered under the Pocso Act.
“The survivor was taken to Siddipet Government Hospital for treatment and medical examination. We recorded the statements of the girl and her parents. A thorough investigation is underway to ensure that the case is supported by strong evidence for conviction,” Siddipet said Police Commissioner B Anuradha said.
Although the incident took place on Saturday, the situation escalated on Sunday after a local youth circulated details about it sexual assault Angry villagers on WhatsApp gathering for a funeral. A short time later, they stormed the defendant's house, damaged the two vehicles and set the property on fire, which was extinguished by police.
Accused in Siddipet rape case faces anger from villagers
Anger erupted in the local community after the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl by a 20-year-old man at Guravannapet in Siddipet on Sunday. The villagers took matters into their own hands and targeted the accused's house.
The villagers stormed the accused's house, damaged two vehicles and set the property on fire, which was extinguished by police personnel.
No one from his family was present during the attack. When the villagers attacked the house and vehicles of the accused, the police found it difficult to control the situation. Soon, additional forces were mobilized from Komuravelly, Cheriyal and other neighboring police stations to restore order. The police urged people not to believe the rumors and also not to take the law into their hands.
Police have also registered cases against the person who spread the news on social media and the villagers involved in the attack.
(The victim's identity was not revealed to protect her privacy in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines on sexual assault cases.)