Delay in POCSO Case Arrest Draws Flak After Minor Goes Missing

Nalgonda: The alleged delay by Addagudur police in arresting an accused booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has come under criticism after the minor girl involved in the case was later reported kidnaped in Hyderabad.

According to police, the 24-year-old Balemla Chaithanya allegedly entered the house of the minor girl at Addagudur in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district on July 9 and misbehaved with her. Based on a complaint lodged by the girl's parents, Addagudur police registered a case against him under Sections 11 and 12 of the POCSO Act.

The police, however, did not arrest the accused immediately after registering the case. The delay has drawn criticism after the girl subsequently went missing, with her parents alleging that she had been kidnapped by the accused.

Police said Chaithanya is the son of Madhu, a resident of the SC Colony in Addagudur, and is pursuing graduation at a government degree college in Hyderabad.

Following the alleged incident, the girl's parents had sent her to stay with relatives at Malakpet in Hyderabad as a precaution. After she went missing on Tuesday, they lodged a complaint with the Malakpet police, alleging that Chaithanya had kidnapped her.

Responding to the criticism, Addagudur Sub-Inspector K. Venkat Reddy said a case had been registered immediately after the complaint was received.

"We have to follow the prescribed legal procedure before arresting and remanding an accused. We acted in accordance with the law and did not intentionally refrain from arresting him," the SI said.

He added that since the girl went missing from Malakpet, the Malakpet police had registered a kidnapping case and launched efforts to trace her.