Man sexually abuses stepdaughter, held

The police arrested a 34- year-old man for allegedly sexually assaulting his step-daughter and also kidnapping and causing hurt to his own 6-month-old son in Laxmibai Nagar area in South Delhi’s Sarojini Nagar on Tuesday.

The accused, identified as Raju Verma, used to work as a gardener in a police officer’s house in Laxmi Bai Nagar and his wife, Lata, used to work there as a maid, said a police source. The police source said that it was Lata’s second marriage. She was earlier married to a Arvind (32), who is an occultist and used to “cure” people of diseases and problems. “Arvind and Lata had four kids, 3 sons and a daughter. Two years back, they started having regular arguments as the wife used to complain that due to his occult practices, her kids were falling ill. Eventually, she separated from him with her kids. She later took up a maid’s job at the police officer’s house,” said the source. The source said Lata gradually grew fond of Raju and got married to him in a local temple soon. A year later, they had a baby. Just like the previous marriage, this one also took a wrong turn but due to another reason. Raju used to misbehave with her and her kids and often used to ask money for alcohol.

Amidst such a problem, Lata even visited her ex-husband with Raju’s picture and asked him to cure him, whom she said was her friend.

Arvind shooed her away, alleging that she was cheating on him with Raju, said the source.

“One day after an altercation, Raju fled with their 6 month-old son, after which Lata complained to the police. The police tracked down Raju’s phone and caught him,” said the police source.

After sustained interrogation, Raju revealed that he had taken the baby to his mother’s home. Meanwhile, that very day, Lata’s 13 year-old daughter complained to her that when she used to be alone at home with Raju, he used to sexually assault her.

Lata complained to the police and after questioning, Raju confessed to the police that when he used to fight with Lata regarding his misbehaviour and drinking problem, she would compare him to her ex-husband saying that even though he was an occult, he was responsible unlike him. Out of frustration, he used to sexually assault the girl, said the source.

Raju has been arrested under Sections 363/323 IPC and 376 IPC.