BHOPAL: A minor girl was allegedly gang-raped by three unidentified men in a desolate forest area in Panna district. The accused reportedly intercepted the survivor and her friends, robbed them, and took them captive before they raped her.The police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, launching a massive manhunt.According to sources, the incident took place on Wednesday evening. The survivor, a minor, had traveled to meet a male acquaintance. The duo, accompanied by another friend of the youth, was traveling on a motorcycle when they stopped at a secluded spot.Soon three men on two motorcycles intercepted them. The trio reportedly picked a fight and demanded that the girl be handed over to them. When her acquaintance resisted, the assailants allegedly turned violent.A senior police official said the accused snatched a silver chain, a mobile phone, and cash from the youth, then intimidated the trio by claiming they were taking them to a police station for “questioning.”Instead, the victims were allegedly forced deep into a nearby forest. Once in the thicket, the accused separated the two youths from the girl. The men were reportedly assaulted and forced to sit at a distance while the girl was dragged into the bushes.Police said the girl pleaded and resisted, but the three men allegedly raped her one after another. After the ordeal, the accused fled the scene on their motorcycles.(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
