Cachar Police Arrest Prime Accused in the Rape of a Minor with Acid Attack Threats
The prime accused in the alleged rape of a minor girl of Cachar’s Dudhpatil area has been arrested by Cachar Police on Tuesday morning (December 30) from Silchar Airport in Kumbhirgram. Rohit (alias Rahul) Biswas (19) is accused of sexual assault on a 17-year-old minor after she was threatened with an acid attack. The alleged victim accused Biswas and his family of constantly threatening her family with abduction, intimidation and also leaking private chats and videos online.
The arrest follows a multi-state search for the suspect, after an FIR was lodged on December 15 at the Malugram Town Out Post.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Cachar, Partha Pratim Das, confirmed that the police received a tip-off that the suspect had boarded a flight from Goa to Silchar. While Cachar authorities were already in communication with the Goa Police to track his movements, the suspect was apprehended immediately upon landing in Silchar.
The arrest of the primary suspect follows the detention of his father on December 28. The father was also named in the First Information Report (FIR) for allegedly threatening the victim and her family in an attempt to suppress the case.
SSP Das clarified that while the father is in custody, he has not been charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. “He was involved in the conspiracy to silence the victim by threatening her, so he is not arrested under POCSO,” the SSP stated, noting that the father’s alleged crimes were limited to criminal intimidation and conspiracy.
The case emerged from a Dudhpatil village under the Malugram Police Station after a 17-year-old student reported being coerced into a relationship. The victim alleged that Rahul Biswas threatened to disfigure her with acid if she did not comply with his demands. During the ordeal, the suspect reportedly recorded private footage which he later used for blackmail.
When the victim resisted further demands, the suspect allegedly created multiple social media accounts to leak the explicit content. The psychological trauma of the assault and the subsequent digital harassment allegedly led the minor to attempt suicide and withdraw from school.
The Malugram Police have filed a comprehensive case against the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act. The charges include:
- Rape and Sexual Harassment: Sections 64 and 77 of the BNS.
- Extortion and Intimidation: Sections 308(3) and 351(2) of the BNS.
- Aggravated Sexual Assault: Section 6 of the POCSO Act.
- Child Pornography: Section 14(3) of the POCSO Act.
With the primary suspect now in custody, attention has shifted to the need for safeguarding the victim’s privacy and ensuring that the leaked content is removed from digital platforms to prevent further harm.
Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, any sexual activity involving a minor below 18 years of age is a criminal offence, irrespective of consent. It is crucial for girls to be aware of their legal rights and understand that the law exists to protect them from coercion, manipulation, and exploitation. Families also play a vital role in creating a safe and supportive environment so that minors feel confident to speak up without fear or pressure.
Importantly, even a consensual relationship with a 17-year-old can attract criminal liability under POCSO, including cases where the accused is only 19 years old, as the law does not recognise consent from a minor. Awareness, family support, and timely reporting are essential to prevent abuse and ensure justice.
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