In a heartbreaking case that has shaken the community, a six-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three boys aged 10, 13, and 14 in northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura area on January 18, 2026.
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| 6-Year-Old Girl Gang-Raped by Three Minors in Bhajanpura |
This incident highlights the vulnerability of children in densely populated urban slums and raises serious questions about juvenile crime and child safety.
Details of the Assault
The young victim had accompanied her father to a nearby shop for candy. He dropped her off at the entrance of their lane, assuming it was safe. That's when the three boys, who were known to the family, approached her. They lured the girl with promises of chowmein and led her to an abandoned two-story building nearby. Once inside, they tied her hands, gagged her mouth, and carried out the assault. Afterward, the boys threatened her to keep quiet about what happened.
The girl managed to return home but was bleeding heavily. At first, she told her family she had fallen, likely out of fear. Her mother, sensing something was wrong, questioned her persistently and uncovered the truth. The family immediately rushed her to the hospital for medical attention.
Police Response and Investigation
The case was initially registered at Jafrabad police station, but later transferred to Bhajanpura station, where the crime occurred. Police visited the scene, where they found bloodstains and collected forensic evidence to build their case.
On January 19, authorities apprehended the two younger suspects—the 10-year-old and 13-year-old—and presented them before the Child Welfare Committee, as required under India's juvenile justice laws. The 14-year-old boy, however, fled the scene along with his family and remains absconding. Efforts to locate him are ongoing, with police using CCTV footage and local tips to track his whereabouts.
The investigation is being conducted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which addresses sexual crimes against minors and ensures stringent penalties.
The Victim's Condition and Family's Struggle
Following the assault, the girl was treated at Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital. Medical reports indicated she was unable to walk due to severe injuries and was experiencing heavy bleeding. Doctors advised tests for HIV and other conditions as a precaution. She is now stable and recovering at home, but remains bedridden. Her mother reports that the child still bleeds if she tries to walk or play, and she complains of pain when sitting.
The family is devastated. The mother identified one of the boys as a neighbor and the others as friends of her late son, who passed away from illness last year. The father, a rickshaw puller, has stopped working out of fear for his other daughters' safety. He expressed frustration with the juvenile system, demanding that the accused be tried as adults, arguing they were fully aware of their actions.
This tragic event has sparked outrage in the local community. On January 27, right-wing groups staged a roadblock protest, calling for the swift arrest of the remaining suspect and harsher laws for juvenile offenders. It underscores the need for better awareness and protection measures in vulnerable areas like slums, where children often play unsupervised.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), crimes against children in India have been on the rise, with over 50,000 cases of child rape reported in recent years. Experts emphasize community education, stricter enforcement of child protection laws, and psychological support for young offenders to prevent such incidents.
While justice proceeds, the focus must remain on supporting the victim and her family through this ordeal. Cases like this remind us all to prioritize child safety in our neighborhoods.
