Pachmarhi, Narmadapuram — A 17-year-old girl has alleged that she was gangraped by three men in a secluded part of the Pachmarhi forest on 19 August, police said on Monday. Following her complaint to Pachmarhi police, multiple teams were deployed and the three accused were arrested within six hours, officials added.
Complaint, arrests and charges
Narmadapuram Additional Superintendent of Police Abhishek Rajan said the survivor was returning home with a male acquaintance when a friend of that acquaintance arrived with two other men. The three allegedly took the pair to a remote spot, where they used intimidation and assaulted the minor.
"An incident involving the sexual assault of a minor has come to light in Pachmarhi; the incident occurred on the 19th. The victim was returning home with an acquaintance when a friend of that acquaintance arrived, accompanied by two other friends. They took the victim and the acquaintance to a secluded spot, where, through intimidation, the three men sexually assaulted the victim," the officer said.
Rajan told reporters that the accused have confessed to the crime and will be produced before the court. A police case has been registered under Section 70(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for gang rape, along with provisions for voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation and common intention. Sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act have also been invoked.
Police response and investigation
According to police, once the survivor reported the assault at the Pachmarhi police station, several teams were mobilised and the three suspects were taken into custody within six hours. Authorities said the accused made confessional statements during preliminary interrogation and that further investigation is ongoing to establish the sequence of events and recover any forensic evidence.
- Date of alleged incident: 19 August
- Action taken: complaint lodged at Pachmarhi police station; multiple teams deployed
- Time to arrest: within six hours of the report
- Charges: BNS Section 70(2) (gang rape), offences relating to voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, common intention; POCSO provisions invoked
Legal and child-protection framework
The invocation of POCSO indicates the case is being treated under the child-protection legal framework, which mandates special procedures for investigation, recording of statements and trial safeguards for minors. Under the BNS provision cited by police, gang rape attracts stringent penalties; the case will proceed through the judicial process after formal remand or custody hearings.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Victim | 17-year-old female (minor) |
| Date of alleged assault | 19 August |
| Number of accused | Three; arrested within six hours of complaint |
| Sections registered | BNS 70(2), offences for hurt, intimidation, common intention; POCSO |
Local impact and safety concerns
Pachmarhi, a well-known hill station and tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh, is frequented by visitors and residents alike. An incident of this nature in a forested area raises immediate safety questions for local residents and tourists, especially women and girls travelling after dusk. Local law enforcement has emphasised rapid action in this case, but community leaders and residents are likely to expect visible measures to prevent recurrence.
Police said further details will be disclosed as the investigation progresses and that medical and psycho-social support mechanisms for the survivor are being initiated in line with POCSO protocol. The officer urged anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward and cooperate with the probe.
As the case moves through the legal process, courts will examine charges and statements. The accused are expected to be produced before the designated magistrate for remand proceedings.
