A 14-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah district has filed a complaint against her parents, Digambar Singh and Lata Devi, for allegedly assaulting her after she expressed her desire to continue her education, police reported on Friday. The couple now faces charges under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act for cruelty to a child.
The incident occurred on July 25, with the complaint lodged at Jalesar police station on August 5. Bhavna Singh, a Class 10 student at Siddhartha Inter College, told police she asked her parents to register her for school exams, but they refused, citing financial constraints. When she insisted on education for herself and her younger brother, Ramraj, her father allegedly beat her at home and later on Agra-Jalesar Road during a journey.
A passerby, Ankit Pradhan, intervened after witnessing the assault and escorted Bhavna, Ramraj, and their mother to a police check post. Lata Devi then fled with Ramraj, leaving Bhavna alone. The girl further alleged her father falsely reported to emergency services (112) that Pradhan had kidnapped his wife.
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In her complaint, Bhavna stated, “I want to study and ensure my brother’s education. I request the Justice Board to arrange for our education and take action against my parents for beating me and abandoning me.” Despite multiple summons, Digambar and Lata failed to appear before the Juvenile Justice Protection Board, which appointed Jalesar SHO Sudhir Kumar as Bhavna’s guardian.
Kumar revealed Digambar, a peon at Siya Devi Degree College, is a habitual drinker with a quarrelsome nature, and the couple, living separately, has a history of disputes, including a prior attempt-to-murder case filed by Lata against Digambar.
Kumar has enrolled Bhavna in school, providing her with books, a uniform, and Rs 2,000 for expenses. He plans to secure her admission to a residential school, such as Kasturba Gandhi or Sainik Vidyalaya, when she returns from Noida in a month, ensuring her education continues despite her parents’ absence.
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