2 cousins sexually assaulted after being lured to factory:3 accused booked under POCSO; police search for suspects

A case involving the rape of two cousin sisters has come to light in the Namli area of Ratlam district. Three young men have been accused. One of them allegedly lured the girls on a motorbike to a factory, where his two associates were already present. Both victims were sexually assaulted there and later again at another location. The incident took place on the night of March 25. On Friday night, the minor and the young woman approached the police station with their family members to lodge a complaint. Based on their statements, police have registered a case against Rajveer Kumawat, Sumit Jat and Pawan Jat under the POCSO Act and relevant sections of rape. All three accused are currently absconding. Accused allegedly lured victims to factory According to the 15-year-old victim, she had gone to a relative’s house with her cousin for a family function on Thursday afternoon. At around 9:30 pm, the two were sitting outside when Rajveer Kumawat arrived on a motorbike. He told them he wanted to speak to them briefly. When they initially refused, he persuaded them to accompany him and took them to an incense factory. The other two accused, Sumit Jat and Pawan Jat, were already present there. Victims threatened when they resisted The victim stated that Rajveer forced both of them inside the factory and locked the door from outside. Sumit Jat then allegedly took her into a room and sexually assaulted her. When she resisted, he threatened to kill her. After she came out, she met her cousin, who, in distress, told her that she too had been assaulted by Pawan Jat. Assault allegedly repeated at another location The victim further alleged that Pawan Jat later took both sisters to his house on a motorbike. There, Sumit assaulted her again, while Pawan assaulted her cousin. After some time, the girls returned to their relative’s home. Out of fear, they did not inform their family immediately. The following night, they disclosed the incident, after which the family approached the police and an FIR was registered. Police probe role of godown operator On Saturday, SDOP Kishor Patanwala and the Namli police visited the scene and examined evidence at the factory premises. The godown, located on Naugawan–Palduna Road in Namli, is owned by a local resident, Dev Sonawa. Police said they are also investigating the possible role of the godown operator in the case.