New Delhi: A senior government officer in Delhi’s Women & Child Development (WCD) Ministry and his wife were arrested on Monday for allegedly raping a minor girl and the latter trying to cover the vile act by giving her abortion pills.
The senior government officer reportedly raped his friend’s daughter many a times, while she resided at his residence after the demise of her father. He allegedly raped her for years between 2020-21, however, the matter came to light only now after girl suffered panic attacks & was taken for medical treatment.
The officer has been suspended on the orders of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The girl, a minor, studies in Class 12th in Delhi. She started living with the officer & his family after his father passed away in 2020. The officer who should have acted as guardian in absence of her father turned predator and ravaged the minor, with active support from his wife.
Premoday Khakha is a deputy director in Delhi’s WCD department. He described himself as local guardian of the rape survivor, as the girl called her ‘mama’.
#WATCH | The now-suspended rape-accused Delhi government official and his wife have been detained by Police.
The official has been booked for allegedly raping his deceased friend’s minor daughter for several months. pic.twitter.com/WN7YSqEi5E
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2023
According to police statement, the officer had ‘adopted’ the girl after sudden demise of his friend & the girl’s father, also a govt officer. He promised to take care of her and help her recover from the trauma of lost parent but went to further traumatize her.
Earlier, Delhi Police booked him & his wife for under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO). The wife reportedly gave her medicines to terminate pregnancy, as she conceived once after rape.
WCD minister denies any ‘link’
The minor girl’s sexual harassment & rape assumed political colours after claims emerged that he worked as OSD to Delhi’s WCD minister.
Meanwhile, Delhi Women & Child Development Minister Atishi has denied reports that he was Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and worked with her.
“Delhi Police must take strict action, the accused never worked as my OSD,” she said.
The matter came to light after the girl was taken for treatment for anxiety attacks. It was during the counseling sessions that she confided in doctors about sexual abuse and termination of pregnancy.
