Minor pushed off 4th floor after sexual assault; critically injured

Hyderabad: A 12-year-old girl was allegedly subjected to sexual harassment and subsequently pushed off the terrace of a residential building by a 49-year-old man on Saturday (June 6) evening in Khammam. The incident, which left the minor critically injured, came to light on Tuesday after police registered an official case.​According to the police, the suspect, who works as a driver, fled the scene immediately after committing the offence. Teams have been deployed to trace him.​The incident occurred when the minor girl was on her way to the terrace. In her statement to the police, she alleged that the accused followed her, touched her inappropriately from behind, and groped her. When she screamed for help, the suspect allegedly pushed her off the building.The fall left the minor with critical injuries. “She sustained severe spine injuries and fractures to her legs. She was initially rushed to a local hospital by her family, but is now being shifted to a hospital in Hyderabad for advanced treatment,” a Khammam Two Town police inspector, Bala Krishna, said.He also noted that the minor was deeply traumatised and initially withheld details of the incident out of fear. “She initially told us she had accidentally fallen. She was terrified that disclosing the incident would cause her family to lose their livelihood and shelter. It was only after counselling by relatives and during the recording of her statement before a district magistrate that she narrated the assault,” the official added.​Based on her statement, the police have registered a case against the accused under Section 109 of the BNS for attempt to murder, alongside Sections 8 (non-penetrative sexual assault) and 12 (sexual harassment committed against a child) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.​The minor is currently undergoing a formal medical examination. Cops noted that the sections in the FIR may be altered or scaled further depending on the medical findings and emerging evidence. Further investigation is underway.