Communal Tension in Nainital After Minor's Rape Accusation Sparks Violence

Last Updated May - 01 - 2025, 02:48 PM | Source : Fela News

Violence erupted in Nainital after a 65-year-old man from a minority community was arrested for allegedly raping a minor. Police brought the situation under con

Communal tensions broke out in Nainital on Wednesday night following the arrest of a 65-year-old man accused of raping a minor girl, police said. The incident sparked unrest when members of the majority community, upon learning that the accused belonged to a minority group, resorted to stone-pelting and vandalised several shops owned by members of the minority community.

An FIR was filed on Wednesday against the accused, a building contractor, for allegedly assaulting the minor in his car on April 12. The case was registered under Section 65(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the POCSO Act at the Mallital police station. The accused was taken into custody shortly after the complaint was filed.

According to officials, the situation escalated quickly after news of the accused’s identity spread. However, authorities said the situation was soon brought under control.
“We managed to stabilize the situation by around 12:30 am,” said Jagdish Chandra, SP (Crime). “A heavy police presence has been deployed, and we will not tolerate any attempts to take the law into one’s own hands. Strict action will follow if necessary.”