Accused in minor’s rape case arrested at Silchar Airport

Silchar: Cachar police on Tuesday arrested the prime accused in the alleged rape of a minor girl, detaining the 19-year-old at Silchar Airport after he arrived on a flight from Goa. Police said the youth is accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl after threatening to disfigure her with acid.The arrest followed a multi-state manhunt launched after an FIR was lodged on Dec 15 at a local police station. Acting on a tip-off that the suspect had boarded a Goa-Silchar flight, Cachar police coordinated with Goa Police and arrested him upon landing.Cachar SP Partha Pratim Das said the suspect’s movements were tracked through joint efforts with Goa Police. “We received a tip-off that he had boarded a flight from Goa. Our teams were ready at the airport to ensure he didn’t slip away,” Das said.This arrest comes after the detention of the suspect’s father on Dec 28. While not charged under the Pocso Act, the father remains in custody for his alleged role in criminal intimidation and conspiracy to silence the victim’s family.According to victim’s complaint, the accused allegedly coerced her into a relationship by threatening to attack her with acid. During the abuse, he recorded private videos which were later used to blackmail her. The suspect allegedly created multiple social media accounts to leak explicit content, intimidated her family with threats of abduction, and circulated private chats to damage her reputation.The psychological toll of the assault and subsequent digital harassment reportedly led the minor to attempt suicide and drop out of school.Police have registered a comprehensive case under the BNS and the Pocso Act. Charges include Section 64 (rape), Section 77 (sexual harassment), Section 79 (insulting the modesty of a woman), Section 308(3) (extortion by threat), and Section 351(2) (criminal intimidation), along with relevant provisions of the Pocso Act.Recognising the ongoing harm caused by leaked material, authorities are working with specialised cyber cells to ensure the permanent removal of explicit content and private chats from digital platforms. Police officials said they are committed to a fast-track investigation to deliver justice to the minor and her family.