Three arrested for ‘exploiting’ minor girl

A case of sexual exploitation of a minor has come to light in Sirsa, where two men and a woman allegedly lured a 15-year-old girl into a “deal” for Rs 10,000. Police have arrested all three accused and initiated a detailed investigation under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to the police, the accused woman, identified as Pooja, was previously associated with a spa centre in Hisar and is reported to be a habitual drug user. She befriended the minor girl on the promise of helping her get beauty parlour supplies. The girl, who had come from Fatehabad to Sirsa to learn parlour work, was then allegedly lured into the deal.

The victim was taken to a hotel on Barnala Road, where the incident occurred. One of the male accused, Kirat, is alleged to have sexually assaulted her. The police are reviewing the hotel’s CCTV footage to determine the involvement of any hotel staff.

DSP Rajesh Kumar confirmed that all three accused Pooja, Manoj Kumar (a resident of Nathusari Chopta) and Kirat have been arrested and are being questioned. The investigation has revealed that the accused were addicted to drugs and indulged in such activities as a means to fund their addiction.