11-year-old girl kidnapped, raped in central Delhi, e-rickshaw driver arrested
In a chilling incident that has once again exposed the vulnerabilities faced by street-working children in the national capital, an 11-year-old girl who sold roses at traffic signals in central Delhi was allegedly kidnapped , sexually assaulted , and abandoned unconscious in a forested area by an e-rickshaw driver on January 11 .
The accused, identified as Durgesh , aged around 40 , was arrested on January 22 following a swift investigation by Delhi Police , who scrutinised footage from nearly 300 CCTV cameras across multiple routes to trace the vehicle and the suspect.
The crime occurred around 3:30 pm in the Prasad Nagar area, where the child was standing at a red light attempting to sell flowers to support her family. After dropping off passengers, the driver stopped his e-rickshaw and lured the girl with the promise of helping her sell all her roses quickly, convincing her to board the vehicle, according to a senior police officer.
He then drove her to a secluded forest patch near Professor Ram Nath Vij Marg (also known as Ramnath Vijay Marg), where he raped her. Believing her to be dead after the brutal assault, he fled the scene, leaving the girl unconscious and bleeding.
Regaining consciousness, the young survivor managed to return to her family. Distraught by her blood-soaked condition and severe injuries, her relatives immediately took her to a hospital and informed the police.
A case was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for kidnapping and rape , along with provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act .
The initial investigation proved challenging, as the child was in deep shock and unable to immediately recount the full sequence of events. Police teams examined footage from approximately 300 cameras covering nearly 15 routes in the vicinity. One key clip captured the girl boarding the e-rickshaw , enabling investigators to trace the vehicle's details and identify the accused, leading to his arrest on the same day the details were publicised.
During interrogation, Durgesh confessed that he had noticed the girl at the traffic signal on previous occasions and had premeditated the abduction. Acting on his disclosure, police recovered blood-stained clothes and other incriminating evidence.
The girl is currently undergoing medical treatment and psychological counselling at a hospital. The investigation remains ongoing to uncover any additional details.
This survivor’s ordeal is a grim reminder that even small children are not safe in this country. While the nation observes Girl Child Day and speaks of empowerment and protection, the brutal rape of an 11-year-old girl barely registers as a national sensation, raising painful questions about the real commitment to safeguarding girls.