‘Mentally ill’ woman raped by neighbour days after molestation bid of minor in Pilibhit

Pilibhit: A 28-year-old man was arrested on Saturday night for allegedly raping his neighbour, a 20-year-old ‘mentally ill' woman, after breaking into her house in a village in Pilibhit. He was caught by the woman's family members and handed over to the police.The woman's uncle, in his written complaint, said his brother's wife died of tuberculosis in 2019, while his brother passed away during the pandemic in 2022 due to an unidentified ailment. Their daughter has since been living alone in an adjacent house, under the constant care of his family. On Saturday night, the accused allegedly trespassed into her house after finding the main door open and harassed his niece, the complainant said.On hearing her screams for help, the complainant's nephew and a few neighbours rushed to the house, rescued the woman, and caught the accused red-handed, he said, adding that the police were informed and the accused was handed over to them. An FIR has been registered against the accused under BNS section 64(1) (rape) and 333 (house trespass).The incident comes days after a 17-year-old girl was allegedly molested at gunpoint by a 22-year-old man from her village in the same district. The incident took place on the night of Jan 18, when the accused allegedly scaled the girl's house and attempted to rape her while she was asleep. He fled after the girl's two brothers woke up on hearing her screams and rushed to her rescue. An FIR was lodged on Saturday night, with the girl's family saying they initially feared backlash. "The accused pointed a gun at my daughter and threatened to kill all her family members. I initially avoided approaching the police to save the dignity of my daughter and the family, but when the accused continued threatening me and my family, I decided to take legal action against him," said the girl's father. Police said an FIR has been registered under BNS sections 333 (house trespass), 74 (criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 351(3) (criminal intimidation) and relevant provisions of the Pocso Act.