Kolkata, Sep 14 (IANS) The West Bengal police have arrested two youths for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in North 24 Parganas district’s Habra area after making her consume intoxicants, police officials said on Monday.

According to police, the girl had come to visit her uncle’s residence in the Habra Municipality area. On Saturday evening, a female acquaintance from the neighbourhood allegedly took her to the house of a local youth known to her. A gathering was reportedly held on the rooftop of the house, where another youth was also present.

Investigators said the girl was allegedly made to consume alcohol laced with intoxicating substances. Later, the group reportedly went out for a walk, following which the two youths allegedly sexually assaulted the minor near a wooded area close to a Shiva temple in the locality.

Police said the accused allegedly abandoned the victim in the area after she fell unconscious and fled the spot. The other girl accompanying her also returned home. When the victim did not return late into the night, her family lodged a missing person complaint at Habra Police Station.

Following the complaint, police launched a search operation and, after questioning the other girl, traced and rescued the victim early on Sunday. She was found unconscious and was immediately admitted to Habra State General Hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment.

Acting on the family’s complaint, police initiated an investigation and arrested the two accused youths on Sunday night. Officials said one of the arrested individuals had previously faced allegations of misconduct involving women.

A senior officer of the Barasat Police District said that both accused were arrested based on the complaint filed by the victim’s family and were being interrogated. The investigation is underway.

The victim’s father demanded stringent action against the accused, saying the family had never imagined that a visit to a friend’s neighbourhood would end in such a traumatic incident.

“The girl went to visit her uncle’s neighbourhood friend in good faith. But no one could imagine that the consequences would be so terrible. I demand exemplary punishment for the two accused youths,” he said.

–IANS

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