Cong functionary arrested on POCSO charges

A Bengaluru Congress functionary Anand P was arrested under POCSO provisions after a complaint alleging sexual misconduct with a minor, assault, criminal intimidation, and violence involving family members, with police registering a case and initiating further investigation

Bengaluru: A Congress functionary has been arrested on POCSO charges for alleged inappropriate behaviour with a 16-year-old minor girl. The 40-year-old complainant has also accused the Congress functionary Anand P of assault, criminal intimidation and coercion, police said. According to the FIR, Anand allegedly used to visit his house and developed an illicit relationship with his wife.

When he questioned their relationship, his wife and Anand allegedly assaulted him and attempted to kill him. The complaint also alleges repeated acts of violence against the children, police said. The accused and the complainant’s wife allegedly assaulted the children multiple times with sticks and stabbed them with a knife, causing bleeding injuries, according to the FIR.

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The complainant claimed to possess photographic evidence of the incidents, and he alleged inappropriate behaviour by Anand towards his minor daughter. “Anand has also inappropriately touched my 16-year-old daughter and indecently spoken to her,” the FIR quoted him as saying.

Police said the complaint further accused Anand P of criminal intimidation and coercion in property matters. Police said a case has been registered based on the complaint, and further investigation is underway.