Priest Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault on Girls in Madhya Pradesh

Incident in Chhatarpur District

A priest has been taken into custody in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, following allegations of sexually assaulting two girls after inviting them to a temple for prasad. This information was confirmed by an official on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Friday in a village located approximately 15 kilometers from the district headquarters, within the jurisdiction of the Garhi Malhara police station.

Rita Singh, an officer from Garhi Malhara police station, informed reporters that the complainant reported to the police that her daughter and her sister-in-law's daughter were on their way to visit their aunt when they passed by the home of the accused, Bhagwatsharan Dubey, who has a temple on his premises.

According to Singh, the complainant stated that Dubey allegedly invited the girls inside the temple to receive prasad, and once they entered, he reportedly made inappropriate comments and sexually assaulted them.

The officer noted that a case was registered against Dubey under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, leading to his immediate arrest.

Amit Meshram, the sub-divisional police officer of the area, mentioned that counseling has been provided to the girls. Medical professionals have assessed both girls and found them to be physically and mentally stable.