A 17-year-old girl with mental health disabilities was allegedly raped multiple times by a local youth in a village under the Rath police station limits of Hamirpur district, police said on Wednesday. The crime came to light only after the victim was taken to a hospital for routine medical care, where doctors confirmed she was pregnant. The survivor’s mother immediately reported the matter to the police, leading to the registration of a case against the accused, identified as Shri Ram, a resident of the same area.

According to the First Information Report lodged on November 19, 2025, the accused first lured the minor away from her home on the night of November 16 near a college located outside the village. He allegedly sexually assaulted her and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident to anyone. Police said the perpetrator exploited the victim’s mental condition and repeated the crime on multiple occasions over the following days. The survivor, unable to fully comprehend or resist the coercion due to her disability, did not initially reveal the assaults.

Station House Officer Umesh Kumar Singh confirmed that a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rape as well as stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. “The medical examination has corroborated the allegations, and teams have been formed to arrest the accused at the earliest,” Singh told reporters. The survivor has been provided immediate medical care and counselling, while authorities are coordinating with the district child welfare committee for her long-term rehabilitation and protection.

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The incident has triggered outrage in the rural community, with residents demanding swift justice and heightened vigilance against crimes targeting vulnerable individuals. Women’s rights activists have called for faster implementation of support systems for persons with disabilities in remote areas. Police said the accused remains absconding but expressed confidence in an early arrest, with raids underway at his possible hideouts. The case underscores persistent concerns over the safety of minors and differently-abled girls in Uttar Pradesh, where similar incidents continue to surface despite strengthened legal frameworks.

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