Minor Victim of Gang Rape in Kanchanpur, Suspects in Custody

Dhangadhi. A minor girl was recently subjected to gang rape in Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur. The minor is from Achham. The economic condition of the victim's family is extremely dire. There is no father at home.

The mother is supporting the family by working in a small shop in the hills. Hoping that her daughter's future would be better, that she would get to study in the city and receive good protection, her mother sent her daughter to Mahendranagar to stay at the house of the shop owner where she works. They also have a house in Mahendranagar where she works. She sent her daughter there after being promised that she would be educated.

The reason the mother trusted them was that they had previously raised the victim's elder brother in a similar manner. Based on that assurance, she sent her daughter to Mahendranagar.

It was around 12:30 PM on the 27th of Falgun. Without telling anyone, she left the house where she was staying for protection. During that time, she met two individuals from Bhimdatta Municipality-10. According to the police, 47-year-old Naresh Giri, an auto driver, and 40-year-old Hira Nath lured the girl with various temptations after seeing her alone. They coaxed and persuaded her and took her into the secluded forest of Baijanath Community Forest in Bhimdatta Municipality-10. There, they brutally gang-raped the girl.

Following the incident, the Kanchanpur District Police Office acted swiftly based on the complaint filed by the victim's side. According to DSP Hem Bahadur Shahi, spokesperson for the District Police Office, both accused involved in the incident were taken into custody the very next day after the incident.

Initially, the police obtained a 7-day remand from the court to investigate. Since the investigation is not yet complete, the remand has been extended by another 10 days, and they are being held in custody. A detailed investigation is underway against auto driver Naresh Giri and the other accused Hira Nath under the charge of gang rape.

The girl, who is traumatized after the incident, now requires safe accommodation. Considering her family situation and security, she has currently been placed in the safe house of Maiti Nepal.

She is being provided with counseling and necessary care there. According to DSP Shahi, there is no direct involvement of the guardians in this incident. Preliminary investigation shows that the accused took advantage of the opportunity when the girl left home on her own.

The police are seriously investigating how a minor girl was so easily lured by temptation and how responsible adults in society dared to commit such an inhumane act.