Islamabad (Anantnag), May 24: Police today confirmed that the accused involved in the alleged rape of a 3-year-old girl at Chattergul village of South Kashmir was 18-year-old and not 15.

 Earlier, the certificate issued by the school administration had mentioned the age of the accused as 15 years.

 The girl was allegedly raped by her neighbor while she was playing in the compound of her house. The incident triggered massive protests in the area with locals demanding stern punishment against the accused. 

 Following the complaint lodged by the family of the victim, police registered a case against the accused Arif Pathan son of Muhammad Ayub Pathan and detained him. 

 Talking to Greater Kashmir, SSP, Islamabad (Anantnag), Ramesh Kumar Jalla said, “The accused was studying in class 9th and we have been told by the school administration that an inadvertent error had occurred in his DOB certificate during the re-registration in which it was wrongly mentioned as 12-4-1996 instead of the actual 11-3-93”.

 He, however, said the matter regarding the issuance of earlier DOB certificate by the school administration would be investigated.

 SSP said medical report had confirmed attempt to rape, but police would seek opinion from the doctors as to why the child was bleeding profusely, after the incident and then give its final opinion.

 Meanwhile, victim’s family and residents have alleged that a Sarpanch was supporting the accused.

 “The newly elected Sarpanch who happens to be the relative of the accused is openly supporting them and also intimidating the family members and whosoever raises voice against this dastardly act,” residents alleged.

 They demanded that stern punishment should be awarded to the culprit. “The girl and her mother are in a state of shock while her poor father, a driver by profession is distressed,” the residents added.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 24 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 24 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 IST