12 year old minor found pregnant, claims of repeated rape by a 53 year old neighbour

Accused rapist Basant Kumar Lamgadey 

Amitava Banerjee, OI, 2 Nov 2017, Darjeeling: In a shocking incident a 12 year old minor was allegedly raped by a 53 year old neighbor. She is reported to be 7 months pregnant. The accused has been arrested and is in Judicial custody.

The incident occurred in a village in the Kalimpong district of North Bengal. The victim claimed that she had been repeatedly raped by her neighbor 53 year old Basant Kumar Lamgadey.

The victim did not divulge this as she had been allegedly threatened with dire consequences if she opened her mouth. 

However on Wednesday, the victim complained of unbearable stomach ache and was rushed to the Hospital. Following a checkup the Doctor declared that the girl is 7 months pregnant.

The girl then broke down and confided that Lamgadey had been repeatedly raping her. The parents then had approached Bal Suraksha Aviyaan (BSA,) an NGO. 

"We then explained to the mother that police intervention was the need of the hour. Her parents agreed to file and FIR" stated Sister Subeshna Thapa, Director, BSA. 

An FIR was lodged at the police station. Police on Wednesday night arrested Lamgadey. He was charged under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. 

A Kalimpong Court on Thursday sent the accused to Judicial custody.Villagers claim that 53 year old Lamgadey has two wives and 20 children. 

"We are taking care of the victim. The social system needs to be strengthened. Children specially girls are becoming highly vulnerable within their own families and communities also. Society needs to act like a watch dog and more protective. There has to be a change in mindset, then only we will be able to curb such evils. " stated Sister Thapa talking to Oneindia.

(Shared by Kalimpong News: Source & Courtesy:  https://www.oneindia.com/india/12-year-old-minor-found-pregnant-claims-repeated-rape-a-53-old-neighbour-2575211.html)