Grandpa, father booked for sexually assaulting 2 daughters in Bhopal:Survivors are sisters who allege ordeal began a decade ago; grandfather held

A disturbing case of sexual assault has emerged from Bhopal’s Gautam Nagar area, where two minor girl, who are sisters, studying in Class 10 and Class 12 respectively, have lodged a complaint against their grandfather and father for sexual assault and molestation. Girls allege ordeal began a decade ago Gautam Nagar police station house officer (SHO) Mahendra Singh Thakur told Bhaskar English that the girls alleged that their ordeal began nearly a decade ago when their mother left the family. The grandfather, they said, started behaving inappropriately towards them soon after. The elder sister alleged that her grandfather repeatedly assaulted her over the years, while the younger sister faced similar abuse a few years later. The girls also accused their father of inappropriate touching and ignoring their complaints against his father. Grandfather arrested; accused duo booked under POCSO Act The police, after receiving a complaint, have registered a case against the duo under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The grandfather has been booked for rape and sexual assault, while the father faces charges of molestation and POCSO violations.Officials confirmed that the grandfather has been arrested, and efforts are underway to trace the father, who has remarried and lives with his second wife. Elder sister’s counselling reveals abuse According to the investigating police officials, the elder sister had recently run away from home due to prolonged harassment. During counselling after being located, she disclosed the years of abuse faced by both sisters.The police then recorded statements of the duo and then initiated legal proceedings. The 17-year-old elder sister told police that her grandfather first made inappropriate advances shortly after her mother’s departure and threatened to kill her if she spoke about it. The younger sister, aged 15, faced similar abuse about three years ago. Probe underway Gautam Nagar Police station officials said that a counselling team and child welfare officers are now involved in supporting the victims. Police are also questioning the father’s second wife to gather further details.