Two Arrested Over Alleged Sexual Assault of Minor Girls in Machilipatnam

Two men have been arrested in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh for allegedly sexually assaulting two 13-year-old girls after taking them to an isolated location in Machilipatnam, police said.

According to Krishna District Superintendent of Police V. Vidyasagar Naidu, the two victims are Class 8 students who had left their hostel on August 6 to return home. The girls reportedly boarded an auto-rickshaw in Machilipatnam to travel to their destination.

Police allege that the auto-rickshaw driver and his associate diverted the girls to a secluded area on the outskirts of the city instead of taking them home. The two girls were allegedly sexually assaulted at the location.

The victims were later traced and brought back home. Following a complaint from their parents, police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Police identified the arrested men as Shyam Kiran, 20, an auto-rickshaw driver, and Kokilagadda Siddu, 20. Both are reportedly residents of the Bandar Rural area in Krishna district. Investigators have seized the auto-rickshaw allegedly used to transport the girls and two mobile phones as part of the probe.

The case has prompted police to examine the circumstances surrounding the girls' movement from the hostel and the sequence of events leading to the alleged assault. Investigators are also looking into whether any lapses or negligence contributed to the incident and are verifying the backgrounds of the accused.

The investigation is expected to include examination of available digital and other evidence, along with statements recorded in accordance with procedures applicable to child victims. Police have indicated that the accused will be produced before the court as the investigation progresses.

The case also highlights the vulnerability of children who depend on informal transport while travelling between educational institutions and their homes. The alleged misuse of the transport arrangement has become a key aspect of the investigation, with authorities expected to establish how the girls were taken away from their intended route and what happened at the isolated location.

Since the victims are minors, their identities and identifying details must be protected. The POCSO framework provides special safeguards for children during investigation and judicial proceedings, making sensitive handling of their statements and personal information essential.

Police are continuing their investigation and are expected to file the chargesheet after completing the evidence-gathering process. As the case remains pending investigation and trial, the allegations against the arrested men will be subject to judicial determination.