Mayiladuthurai Collector blames child victim for sexual assault, triggers outrage
The Hindu
Mayiladuthurai Collector blames child victim for sexual assault, triggers outrage, transferred
Mayiladuthurai District Collector, A.P. Mahabharathi was on Friday (February 28, 2025) transferred hours after he triggered outrage by blaming a three-year-old child victim for the sexual assault on her by a teenage boy in the district. The alleged sexual assault took place recently.
Mr. Mahabharathi, while speaking at a training programme on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act earlier in the day, claimed that the girl had behaved “wrongly” by spitting on the boy, which may have led to the incident.
The district-level POCSO Act awareness meeting was organised by the Department of Child Welfare and Special Services for police personnel, child welfare committee members, revenue department officials, and other stakeholders.
In his address, Mr. Mahabharathi referred to a recent POCSO Act case in the Anaikkaranchathiram police limits, where a 16-year-old boy from Mayiladuthurai district was detained by police after allegedly attempting to sexually assault a three-year-old girl. The boy had allegedly approached the girl with sexual intent and physically assaulted her, causing injuries to her head and face. The girl is currently undergoing treatment at JIPMER Hospital in Puducherry.
“The child had behaved wrongly in the case. If you keenly observe, you will know. Based on the report I received, the child had spat on the boy’s face that morning — that may be the reason. That is why we are forced to look at both sides. Prevention is better than cure. We need to sensitise; parents should be sensitised to educate their children. Teaching a two- or three-year-old is difficult, so parents should be sensitised,” Mr. Mahabharathi said.
Despite multiple attempts, the Collector could not be reached for comment.
The district CPI(M) unit was quick to call for a protest in front of the district collectorate on Saturday (March 1, 2025) condemning Mr. Mahabharathi’s remarks.
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Mayiladuthurai Collector blames child victim for sexual assault, triggers outrage, transferred