Pratapgarh police arrest man accused of abducting and harassing minor girl

Police in Pratapgarh have arrested a suspect in connection with the abduction and harassment of a minor girl. The accused, identified as Mohammad Aarish, son of Mohammad Arif, approximately 21 years old and a resident of Ghosiana Begum Ward under Kotwali Nagar police station, was taken into custody following a complaint filed by the victim's family.

According to police sources, the incident occurred on August 25 when the minor victim was waiting for transport after visiting the Maa Sheetala Devi Dham temple in Katra Medniganj. The accused allegedly approached her, claimed to know her father, and persuaded her to get into his car. He then drove her to ATL Ground where he allegedly committed obscene acts and harassed her.

The crime was thwarted when a passerby noticed the minor inside the vehicle and intervened immediately. The alert citizen informed both the victim's family and the police. When the accused realized he was being pursued, he attempted to flee but was eventually intercepted and apprehended near VTU Mall in Karanpur, Civil Lines area.

Based on the complaint lodged at Kotwali Nagar police station, a case has been registered under sections 137(2), 87, 74, and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with sections 7 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Sub-Inspector Ankit Kumar Tiwari led the arrest operation, supported by constables Shailesh Kumar and Sagar Singh.

The swift action by the passerby and the subsequent police response helped prevent what could have been a more serious crime. The accused remains in police custody as investigations continue.