Noida horror: 81-year-old man held for 'digital rape' of teen for 7 yrs

In a horrifying incident reported from Uttar Pradesh’s Noida, An 81-year-old artist was taken into police custody for the alleged 'digital' rape of a 17 year-old girl over a period of over seven years. A police spokesperson was quoted by news agency PTI as saying that the man is accused of digital rape of a 17-year-old girl over the last seven years.

The term 'digital rape' means forced sex or penetration with a woman or girl using fingers or toes. Digital rape did not come under rape until December 2012. But, after the Nirbhaya case, the classification of a sexual offence as 'digital rape' happened in India, which resulted in reforms in the country's criminal laws to widen the ambit of crimes viewed as 'rape'.

As maintained by police, the victim lives with her family, who has been a friend of the accused for more than 20 years now. At first, the victim girl was afraid to file a police complaint but then she started recording the suspect's sexual advances and collected proof. She narrated her ordeal to the family, who then approached the police to register a complaint.

The 81-year-old suspect, was arrested by officials of the local Sector 39 police station on Sunday. An FIR was lodged against him under Indian Penal Code Sections 376 (rape), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation).

Sector 39 police station, SHO, Rajiv Kumar told news agency PTI, "The girl lives here with her guardian, who has been a friend of the accused for around 20 years now. The guardian had lodged a complaint in the case."

After his arrest, the accused was taken before a local court and he has been sent to 14 days judicial custody, the officer added.

If someone is charged with digital rape in India, the offenders are now booked under the much broader IPC section 376 (rape). However, the convictions in cases of digital rape still remains rather low in India.

Also Read: Karnataka man assaults woman lawyer in full public view; video goes viral