Surat: Violence broke out in Karcheliya, a tribal village in Mahuva taluka of Surat district, on Friday night after villagers protested the quick release of a shop owner accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl. The protest led to arson, though no injuries were reported.According to police, the incident took place on Friday morning when the minor girl visited a stationery shop near her school. The shop owner, identified as Kishan Chaudhary, allegedly touched her inappropriately. The girl immediately informed her school principal, who alerted her parents and the police. CCTV footage reportedly confirmed the allegation.Chaudhary was detained but was seen back at his shop by the evening, which sparked anger among the villagers. A large group of locals gathered outside the shop, removed some goods, and set them on fire.Police teams were rushed to the spot to control the situation and a bandobast of around 40 officers and jawans has since been deployed in the village to maintain peace.Chaudhary, who fled the village after the incident, was later traced and arrested by the crime branch. He has been booked under BNS Section 75(2), Sections 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act, and relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.Speaking on the incident, superintendent of police Hitesh Joysar said, “There was negligence in taking immediate action. Necessary steps will be taken. A case will also be registered against those involved in damaging property.”
