Daijiworld Media Network - Jabalpur

Jabalpur, May 3: In a shocking incident from Khagamau village in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district, police have apprehended a 22-year-old man, Kamlesh Lodhi alias Kariya, in connection with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a four-year-old girl. The crime occurred on the evening of April 26, during a wedding celebration in the village, when the child was lured away with the promise of attending the dinner.

While her family members were preoccupied with the festivities, the girl was left outside her home, where she encountered Lodhi, whom she referred to as "Bhaiya" (elder brother). Exploiting her trust, he led her to a secluded area behind a school and assaulted her before abandoning her near a grocery shop.

Hours later, a passerby discovered the terrified child, who was subsequently taken home. The alarming presence of bloodstains on her clothing prompted her family to rush to the police station and file a report. Due to the absence of a female officer, the formal complaint was registered in the early hours of April 27 under the Bhartiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act.

A medical examination confirmed the assault, but identifying the perpetrator proved challenging as the child could only describe him as “Bade Bhaiya.” Investigators gathered several individuals matching her description, including wedding guests, and upon showing her a photograph of Lodhi, she reacted with fear, confirming his identity.

Initially, Lodhi attempted to mislead the authorities by providing false alibis, but after intense questioning, he confessed to the crime. He was arrested on May 2 and has since been remanded to judicial custody as investigations continue.