Minor ‘assaulted’ on marriage pretext; man held

Panchkula: A man has been arrested in connection with a sexual offence involving a 14-year-old girl, allegedly lured on the pretext of marriage.

According to the complaint filed by the victim’s mother, the girl — employed as a childcare helper at a Panchkula residence — went missing on June 5 and returned home later the same night. She told her family she had been in contact with a local youth through social media.

Police said the woman cell registered a case under relevant provisions of the Pocso Act. The victim’s statement has been recorded before a magistrate and her medical examination conducted.

The accused was arrested Sunday and produced in court, which remanded him to judicial custody.