A 14-year-old ninth-grade student claimed she was raped by 10 men during the four months she was missing. The girl vanished on November 1 after leaving home for school in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, before she said she was attacked and dragged between hotels by abusers.
The girl’s family, already facing hardship, had reported her missing on November 7 after she failed to return home, and police traced her through CCTV footage and monitoring on March 23. The girl then told officers of her horrifying abuse, which prompted immediate arrests, according to authorities.
Police said she said she was first approached by auto driver Manish Rajbhar, also known as Monu, who allegedly enticed her into his vehicle and assaulted her at an unfinished building.
Local reports suggested that she was then taken to different hotels, where other men abused her. Her testimony has led to ten arrests, including a hotel operator called Dharamraj, and the auto driver accused of luring her away, Rajbhar.
Two others named Sameer and Kishan have been detained. Four suspects have already been produced in court and remanded in custody, while six remain under interrogation.
The teenager had been living with her aunt in the Chauri Chaura area to continue her education, while her father worked as a labourer in Gujarat and her mother was unwell.
Senior Superintendent of Police (North) Gyanendra Kumar confirmed that the girl’s testimony was formally recorded in court.
He said investigations revealed she had been in contact with several individuals during her disappearance, all of whom are now under scrutiny. Mr Kumar stressed that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found complicit.
A medical examination of the victim has been conducted, and police are continuing to examine call records and other evidence.
Officials say the case underscores the vulnerability of minors and the urgent need for vigilance in missing child investigations.
Police have assured the family that all legal measures under child protection and sexual assault laws will be pursued to ensure justice.
