Accused Sunil Balanaik
Belagavi: A 26-year-old, who was accused of raping a seven-year-old girl in a field, was nabbed by police today and produced before the 4th JMFC Court. He was later remanded to police custody.
The accused is identified as Sunil Balanaik.
According to sources in the police department, on Wednesday, December 11, at around 5 PM, Sunil lured the minor, his neighbour, to a nearby field and raped her. He reportedly lured her by telling her that they were going to play. He then fled the spot after sexually assaulting the child.
When the police brought Sunil to the court premises, some members of a fringe group manhandled him and also tried to block the police vehicle in which he was supposed to be transported.
It is also understood that the members began protesting in front of the court, demanding that the accused be given to them.
Initial investigative reports state that Sunil had sought the minor’s parents’ permission before taking her to the play area. When the girl did not return for a long time, the parents got worried and began looking for her. When the girl’s father found out that she had been raped in the field, he reported the same to the police.
The minor was then taken to the district hospital for treatment.
According to the police, the minor’s father tried to close the case.
Meanwhile, sources have informed that Sunil was married just six months ago.
