Even as the nation debates over redefining the age of a juvenile, three 10-year-old boys have been charged with raping a seven-year-old girl in Bhadohi district on Thursday.
The incident took place in Gopiganj area of Bhadohi district and it came to light when the girl’s condition started deteriorating in the evening after which she was admitted to a local hospital.
Superintendent of police Ashok Kumar Shukla said that the girl, a student of Class 3, was allegedly raped by the boys on Wednesday while she was returning home after school.
“She did not inform her parents but when her condition began deteriorating, the parents took her to hospital where rape was confirmed. The girl was questioned by her parents and she gave out the names of the boys, two of whom are ten years old and one is eight years old,” the official said.
On the complaint of the girl’s father, an FIR has been lodged against the three boys aged between 8 and 10 years but no further action has been taken.
Meanwhile, the incident has evoked a sharp reaction in the township that is dominated by the carpet making industry.
While a section of people believe that the charges are false since ten year old cannot be expected to be sexually action, another section does not discount the possibility.
“The maturity level among children is growing by leaps and bounds and with easy access to internet and TV, children are learning the facts of life faster. It cannot be entire impossible for ten year old boys to be sexually active,” said Dr Idris, a local physician.