Two men booked for raping minor multiple times in Surat

SURAT: Two men were booked for raping a 15-year-old girl several times over the past four months after befriending her in the

Puna

area of the city. Police have arrested one of the accused, 35-year-old

Yusuf Sheikh

, while the other accused Ajay Soni (23) is yet to be arrested.

The police action came after the father of the school dropout girl lodged a complaint with the Puna police station on Wednesday. Both the accused who are residents of the same locality where the girl lives have been booked for rape and under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

According to the complaint filed by the girl’s father, a blacksmith by profession, his daughter came in touch with Ajay in November last year. Their friendship developed and the girl started meeting Ajay secretly. Taking advantage of the situation, the accused allegedly raped the girl multiple times after taking her to different places in and around the city. The girl’s father also alleged that Ajay threatened to kill his daughter if she told anybody about their relationship. Out of fear, the girl did not tell her parents anything and stated avoiding Ajay, the complaint stated.

After breaking up with Ajay, the girl came in contact with his friend Yusuf. They developed a friendship and started going out together. On one such outing, Yusuf allegedly raped the girl.

Soon the girl’s father noticed a change in her behaviour and asked her if she was facing some problem. This is when the girl told him about Ajay and Yusuf. Following the revelation, the girl’s father lodged a police complaint and based on that Yusuf was arrested.

Police said that Ajay was on the run after he learnt about Yusuf’s arrest.

(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)