Patna: Bihar police have registered a first information report (FIR) against three members of the Buddhist-Thai Bharat Society for sexually assaulting a minor girl multiple times since January of this year. A case has been registered under relevant section of IPC, POCSO Act and SC/ST Act on April 18 against the three persons. The matter came to light when a social worker filed a petition in this regard in a local court. On the basis of her petition, the court instructed Gaya police to lodge an FIR and launch a probe into the allegations.
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Senior superintendent of police (SSP), Gaya, Rajeev Mishra said that a case has been registered and the minor girl has been sent for medical examination pending further inquiry into the matter. The accused have been identified as monks, AC Lama, Rataneshwar Chakma, and Chhota Bhante. Police officials probing the matter told Hindustan Times that the accused monks, who have been living in Bodh Gaya for the past several years, have now gone into hiding and extensive efforts are underway to trace them. A senior official probing the matter has said that the inquiry will be expedited once the girl's medical reports confirm the allegations.
According to a report by news agency ANI, the minor girl's statement was recorded before a judicial magistrate on Tuesday under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Meanwhile, the social activist who filed the petition prompting the investigation said that the girl's parents are monetarily weak and cannot afford a good prosecution but have the support of social workers and NGOs.
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