6-yr-old girl tied, beaten by ex-serviceman for plucking guava in Himachal
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Himachal Pradesh: A six-year-old migrant girl was allegedly tied to a staircase with ropes as punishment for plucking guavas from an ex-serviceman’s garden in Himachal Pradesh’s Una district, officials said on Monday.
Videos of the alleged abuse, recorded by passersby, circulated widely in and around Bahdla village, where the incident occurred on Sunday, triggering public outrage and drawing the attention of authorities.
The victim has been rescued and undergone a medical examination.
The accused ex-serviceman, who allegedly also hit the girl while she was tied, has been called for questioning by the police and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on Monday. Another video surfaced in which he apologises for his actions.
Police said the administration acted after the incident came to light on social media. A case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act has been registered, and a thorough investigation is underway.
The incident was first noticed by Rohit Jaswal, a Merchant Navy captain, who saw the girl tied inside the house and immediately intervened. Jaswal confronted the ex-serviceman, who initially refused to release the girl, and later ensured her safety, taking her home and alerting the police and Child Helpline.
In a purported video, the accused justified his actions, claiming he was punishing the girl for "stealing" guavas. Amid her cries, the girl is seen pleading with the passerby filming the video, saying, “Uncle, save me.”
After the Child Helpline team arrived, the ex-serviceman apologised. The victim was then sent for a medical examination at the Regional Hospital in Una.
Authorities, including Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal and Superintendent of Police Sachin Hiremath, have issued directives for swift action. The SP confirmed that strict measures would be taken against the accused.
Another video that surfaced on Monday shows the ex-serviceman admitting to tying the girl and stating he was “not thinking clearly” and would not repeat such behaviour.
With PTI inputs
