A chilling incident of gangrape has rocked Assam’s Sribhumi district, where a 14-year-old deaf-mute girl was brutally assaulted in an auto-rickshaw on August 16, 2025. The police have arrested three adult suspects, namely Islamuddin, Moniruddin, and Dilawar Hussain, along with a minor in connection with the heinous crime. The case, which has sparked outrage across the region, has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, with the accused now facing serious legal consequences.
A Day of Celebration Turns Tragic
The horrific ordeal unfolded on the evening of August 16, 2025, as the young victim was walking with her brother to a relative’s house to celebrate Janmashtami, a Hindu festival marking the birth of Lord Krishna. The siblings, unaware of the danger awaiting them, were ambushed by a group of assailants traveling in an auto-rickshaw. According to police reports, the perpetrators violently pushed the girl’s brother aside, forcibly abducted the 14-year-old, and sped off in the vehicle.
Inside the auto-rickshaw, the minor was subjected to a brutal gangrape by the accused. After committing the crime, the perpetrators callously abandoned the victim by the roadside, leaving her in a state of shock and unconsciousness. The girl, unable to call for help due to her disability, lay helpless on the road for approximately three hours before she was discovered.
The Search and Rescue
The victim’s brother, shaken by the sudden attack, immediately alerted their family. A frantic search ensued as relatives scoured the area for the missing girl. After hours of searching, they found her lying unconscious by the roadside, her condition a stark testament to the brutality she had endured. The family rushed her to a nearby hospital, where medical professionals provided urgent care. The extent of her physical and emotional trauma is still being assessed, but the incident has left her family and the community in profound distress.
Following the family’s report, the Sribhumi police launched a swift investigation, leading to the arrest of the four accused- Islamuddin, Moniruddin, Dilawar Hussain, and a minor whose identity has been withheld due to legal protections for juveniles. Sribhumi Superintendent of Police (SP) Partha Pratim Das confirmed that the case has been registered under the POCSO Act, which addresses sexual offenses against children and carries stringent penalties.
The three adult accused were presented before a local court, which granted three days of police custody for further interrogation. The minor, in accordance with juvenile justice protocols, was sent to a rehabilitation Centre for further proceedings.
Community Outrage and Calls for Justice
The incident has sent shockwaves through Sribhumi and beyond, with residents expressing anger and grief over the brutal assault on a vulnerable minor. Community leaders and local organizations have called for swift justice and stricter measures to prevent such atrocities in the future. The fact that the victim is a deaf-mute child has further amplified the public’s outrage, highlighting the need for greater protection for persons with disabilities.
Advocates for women’s and children’s rights have pointed to this case as a grim reminder of the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in India. Many are urging the authorities to expedite the legal process and ensure that the perpetrators face the full weight of the law.
Legal Implications of the POCSO Act
The invocation of the POCSO Act underscores the gravity of the crime. Enacted in 2012, the POCSO Act is designed to protect children from sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and pornography while providing a robust legal framework for prosecuting offenders. The law mandates harsh punishments for crimes against minors, including life imprisonment in severe cases of aggravated sexual assault. While the adult accused face the possibility of severe penalties, the minor’s case will likely be handled by a Juvenile Justice Board, which prioritizes rehabilitation over punitive measures.
The case has also reignited discussions about public safety, particularly for women and children in rural areas. Activists are calling for increased awareness, better policing, and community-driven initiatives to protect vulnerable populations.
This tragic incident has underscored the urgent need for societal change, from improving safety measures to fostering greater empathy and protection for the most vulnerable. For now, the people of Sribhumi and beyond stand in solidarity with the victim, hoping for her healing and a future where such atrocities are no longer a reality.