Pachmarhi Gangrape: Three Arrested for Assault of Minor Girl in Madhya Pradesh
Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have arrested three men in connection with the alleged blackmail and gangrape of a 17-year-old girl in the tourist town of Pachmarhi, located in Narmadapuram district. According to police officials, the suspects detained the survivor and her companion by using photographs to blackmail them before carrying out the assault in a forested area.
What Happened
According to police accounts, the incident occurred on August 19 when the minor girl and her male friend were waiting at a bus stop in Pachmarhi to travel back home. A tourist driver named Hariom Kushwaha, who was acquainted with the girl’s friend, arrived at the spot along with two other men, identified as Abhishek Vanshkar and Pawan Bansal, who both work at a local hotel.
Narmadapuram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Birendra Kumar Singh stated that Kushwaha had captured photographs of the two friends together and used those images to blackmail them into getting into a car. The suspects drove them to a dense forest area, where they tied up the male friend and sexually assaulted the 17-year-old girl.
The survivor lodged a formal police complaint on August 23. Following the report, law enforcement mobilised multiple search teams. Narmadapuram Additional Superintendent of Police Abhishek Ranjan confirmed that all three accused were traced and taken into police custody within six hours of the case being registered.
Key Highlights
- The alleged assault took place on August 19 in a forested zone of Pachmarhi, Narmadapuram district.
- Three local residents—Hariom Kushwaha, Abhishek Vanshkar, and Pawan Bansal—were arrested following a complaint filed on August 23.
- The suspects reportedly blackmailed the victims using photographs taken at a bus stop before taking them to the forest.
- Charges have been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 70(2) (gangrape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- Police formed specialized teams and detained the suspects within six hours of receiving the official report.
Why This Matters
The incident has drawn sharp criticism regarding tourist security and the safety of women in Madhya Pradesh. Following the development, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari publicly criticized the state government, stating that such incidents at well-known destinations raise serious concerns regarding the maintenance of law and order and female security across the state.
What to Watch Next
The three suspects remain in police custody as official legal proceedings move forward under the provisions of the POCSO Act and Section 70(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Pachmarhi police station.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where did the incident occur?
The incident took place on August 19 in a dense forest area near the tourist destination of Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh’s Narmadapuram district.
What legal sections have been applied in this case?
The Pachmarhi police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the POCSO Act and Section 70(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to gangrape.
Who are the accused individuals?
The three arrested men have been identified by police as Hariom Kushwaha, a tourist driver, along with Abhishek Vanshkar and Pawan Bansal, both hotel workers residing in nearby areas of the district.
Source: Information reported by The Hindu, citing official statements from the Narmadapuram district police.