POCSO arrest in Dattapukur: Man held for assaulting 3-year-old girl in Bengal
Synopsis
A man arrested in Dattapukur, West Bengal, for allegedly assaulting a toddler has put two systemic failures under the spotlight: police initially refusing to register the complaint, and a hours-long delay in the child's medical examination due to unavailability of female doctors — both drawing protests from local residents.
Key Takeaways
Arjun Sardar , a man in his forties, was arrested on Friday night in Dattapukur, North 24 Parganas for allegedly sexually assaulting a 3.5-year-old girl .
The alleged incident occurred on Thursday ; a case was registered under the POCSO Act, 2012 .
Local residents alleged that police at the Nilganj outpost initially refused to register the complaint.
The accused confessed during interrogation and was produced before the Barasat court on Saturday; police have sought his custody.
Protesters alleged the child's medical examination at Barasat Medical College and Hospital was delayed for several hours due to unavailability of female doctors.
The victim's family has demanded stringent punishment for the accused.
A man in his forties, identified as Arjun Sardar, was arrested in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Friday night for allegedly sexually assaulting a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in the Dattapukur area, police confirmed on Saturday. A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and an investigation is under way.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to police, the alleged assault took place on Thursday when Sardar reportedly visited a relative's house in Dattapukur. He allegedly took the child — a resident of Subhashnagar, living in a rented house under the Nilganj outpost of Dattapukur police station for the past three months — to the roof of a neighbouring house, where the crime is said to have occurred.
The incident came to light the following day, on Friday, triggering considerable tension among local residents.
Complaint Filing Dispute and Arrest
Local residents alleged that when they first approached the Nilganj outpost of Dattapukur police station to file a complaint, officers initially refused to register it. A case was subsequently registered under the POCSO Act, and Sardar was arrested on Friday night. Police stated that the accused confessed to the crime during interrogation. He was produced before the Barasat court on Saturday, where police sought his custody for further investigation.
Medical Examination Delayed, Protests Erupt
The child was taken to Barasat Medical College and Hospital for a medical examination. The victim's family and local residents alleged they were made to wait for several hours as only one female doctor was available at the time, and she was occupied with other patients.
The reported delay in the medical examination sparked protests at the hospital. The situation was eventually brought under control, according to reports. The victim's family has demanded stringent punishment for the accused.
Legal Framework and What Happens Next
Under the POCSO Act, 2012, offences against children under 18 are tried in designated special courts, with provisions for stringent punishment. Sardar remains in judicial proceedings as police press for custody to complete their investigation. The case has drawn attention to two systemic concerns: the initial reluctance to register a complaint, and the availability of medical personnel for child victims in public hospitals.
Point of View
Victim-sensitive medical care, yet public hospitals outside major cities routinely lack dedicated child-protection resources. Both failures deserve independent scrutiny, not just the criminal charge.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Dattapukur POCSO case?
Arjun Sardar, a man in his forties, was arrested on Friday night in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in Dattapukur, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. He has been produced before the Barasat court and reportedly confessed during police interrogation.
What is the POCSO Act and what punishment does it prescribe?
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 is a central law that criminalises sexual offences against individuals under 18 years of age. It mandates trial in special courts and prescribes stringent punishments, including imprisonment ranging from three years to life, depending on the severity of the offence.
Why did protests break out at Barasat Medical College and Hospital?
Locals and the victim's family alleged that the child's medical examination was delayed for several hours because only one female doctor was available at the time and she was occupied. The delay sparked protests at the hospital, which were later brought under control.
Did police initially refuse to register the complaint?
According to local residents, officers at the Nilganj outpost of Dattapukur police station initially refused to register the complaint. A case was subsequently registered under the POCSO Act after persistent efforts, following which Arjun Sardar was arrested on Friday night.
What happens next in the Dattapukur POCSO case?
Arjun Sardar was produced before the Barasat court on Saturday, with police seeking his custody for further investigation. The case will be tried under the POCSO Act in a designated special court. The child has undergone a medical examination at Barasat Medical College and Hospital.
