Fridge mechanic held for molesting minor Dalit girl

Pilibhit: A 26-year-old refrigerator mechanic was arrested on Monday for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old Dalit girl at her residence in Puranpur city, police said.The accused had gone to the victim’s house around 6 pm Sunday to repair a refrigerator. Finding the minor alone while her parents were away at the market, he allegedly molested her.According to the police, when the girl protested, the accused abused her and hurled casteist slurs. He fled after she screamed for help.The matter came to light on Monday after the victim’s father lodged a police complaint, leading to the registration of an FIR.Puranpur Kotwali SHO Pawan Pandey said the accused has been booked under BNS sections 74 (criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 352 (intentional insult). He also faces charges under sections 7 and 8 (sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, alongside relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.