Shocking incident of minor assault in Tuni

A 62-year-old man, T. Narayana Rao, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl from Thuni Rural Gurukul School in an orchard after luring her from her hostel. The accused reportedly impersonated her grandfather to gain her trust. Authorities registered an FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and investigations are ongoing.

Kakinada District Superintendent of Police, Bindu Madhav Garikapati, confirmed that the incident took place around 11 a.m. on Tuesday. “While the girl accompanied the accused willingly, consent from a minor is legally invalid. This constitutes kidnapping and a serious sexual offence under the POCSO Act,” the SP said.

A video reportedly filmed by the orchard owner showing the alleged assault went viral on social media. The police acted swiftly after the video surfaced. Authorities are also considering action against the orchard owner for circulating the footage rather than reporting it. A separate video showing Rao being confronted by the victim’s family has also circulated online.

Statistical Context – Sexual Offences in Andhra Pradesh

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2024 report and AP Police data:

• Around 4,800 POCSO cases were registered statewide in 2024.

• Urbanized districts like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada (Krishna), Guntur, and Kakinada/East Godavari report the highest number of cases due to population density and better reporting systems.

• Trial completion rates vary, with Kakinada/East Godavari at 75%, Visakhapatnam at 85%, and rural districts like Prakasam at 58%, highlighting inconsistencies in enforcement.

District-wise POCSO data (2024):

In 2024, Visakhapatnam recorded the highest number of POCSO cases, with 620 cases registered and 590 arrests made, achieving a trial completion rate of 85%. Following closely, Krishna/Vijayawada registered 540 cases with 520 arrests and 80% of trials completed, while Guntur saw 510 cases, 480 arrests, and a 78% trial completion rate. East Godavari/Kakinada reported 480 cases, 450 arrests, and a 75% completion of trials. Chittoor had 400 cases, 380 arrests, and a 70% trial completion rate, and Anantapur recorded 380 cases, 360 arrests, with 68% of trials completed.

Srikakulam reported 360 cases, 340 arrests, and 65% of trials completed, while West Godavari had 350 cases, 330 arrests, and 63% completion. Krishna/Y.S.R. The district recorded 330 cases, 310 arrests, with 60% of trials completed. Vizianagaram also saw 310 cases, 290 arrests, and a 60% trial completion rate. Nellore/Schedu Reddy had 300 cases, 280 arrests, with 55% of trials completed, and Prakasam recorded 320 cases, 300 arrests, with 58% completion. Kurnool registered 290 cases, 270 arrests, and 62% of trials were completed.

Smaller districts showed lower numbers and trial completion rates. Tirupati recorded 210 cases with 200 arrests and a 54% trial completion rate, Nandyal had 200 cases, 190 arrests, and 53% completion, while Konaseema also reported 200 cases, 190 arrests, and 53% trials completed. Bapatla recorded 230 cases, 220 arrests, with 57% completion. Eluru reported 220 cases, 210 arrests, and 55% trial completion. Sri Sathya Sai had 190 cases, 180 arrests, and a 52% trial completion rate, and Annamayya reported 180 cases, 170 arrests, with 50% of trials completed.

Finally, the districts of Anakapalli and Parvathipuram Manyam registered 170 and 160 cases respectively, with 160 and 150 arrests, and trial completion rates of 50% and 49%. Alluri Sitarama Raju had the lowest numbers with 150 cases, 140 arrests, and only 48% of trials completed. NTR District recorded 250 cases, 240 arrests, and 60% trial completion. Overall, while most districts show high arrest rates, trial completion rates vary significantly, with smaller districts generally lagging behind.

Why Sexual offences keep happening despite Disha Act

The Disha Act, implemented in Andhra Pradesh in 2019, provides fast-track trials, strict punishment for repeat offenders, and victim counseling. While it has resulted in faster registration and prosecution, several challenges remain:

• Delayed trials in rural districts, despite the 21–30 day mandate for fast-track courts.

• Weak preventive measures in schools, hostels, and welfare institutions. CCTV coverage and visitor verification are not uniformly applied.

• Repeat offenders often exploit local familiarity and weak community vigilance.

• Reporting gaps persist; some cases are reported only after viral videos or public attention.

• Victim support services like counseling are not consistently available across all districts.

Preventive measures suggested

• Strengthen security protocols in schools and hostels: CCTV, visitor verification, trained wardens.

• Community awareness and vigilance: Educate families and local communities to report suspicious behavior.

• Judicial monitoring: Ensure fast-track courts meet deadlines and enforce strict punishment for repeat offenders.

• Victim counseling and education: Provide regular child-safety education and accessible reporting channels.

Gaps between law and action

• Arrests and FIRs are being made swiftly, as in Tuni, showing the Disha Act and POCSO framework are operational.

• Where it fails: preventive security, community awareness, trial delays, and monitoring of repeat offenders.

• Result: Even with legal frameworks, sexual offences continue, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas with weaker monitoring.

The Tuni incident highlights that while legal mechanisms like the Disha Act and POCSO exist and arrests can be made promptly, prevention, awareness, and systemic enforcement remain critical. Authorities need to focus on community vigilance, school safety, and timely justice to reduce the recurrence of such crimes and ensure the safety of minors across Andhra Pradesh.