BHOPAL: Four tribal girls including three minors were kidnapped by seven persons in Maoist-infested Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh.
The event occurred on the night of April 23, following a wedding reception in village Thakurtola, under the jurisdiction of the Godri outpost, said police.
As per the initial police report, the girls were returning to their village, accompanied by a local resident, when they were stopped by a group of youths on two motorcycles from Bhagatpur village.
Authorities state that seven persons are involved in the case, and necessary legal provisions have been invoked.
The girls include three minors and one adult. All accused individuals have been identified and are currently in police custody. Their names and ages are as follows: Lokesh Mate (22), son of Santosh Mate, Lalchand Khare (34), son of Chamaru Khare, Bahe (28), son of Shivlal Vahe, Ajju alias Bagdate (21), son of Ramcharan Bagdate, Rajendra Kavre (20), son of Madanlal Kavre, Maniram Vahe (21), son of Shivcharan Vahe and Egalesh (17), son of Santosh Mate
Legal proceedings have been initiated under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Sections 70(1), 70(2), 351(2)), the POCSO Act (Sections 5/6), and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act [Sections 3(1)(w)(i), 3(2)(v), and 3(2)(v-a)].