Malda minor rape: Bihar man arrested from Purnia within hours of complaint
Synopsis
Hours after a 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Malda, West Bengal, police tracked the accused across state lines to Purnia, Bihar and arrested him the same night. The case is the second high-profile minor assault in Bengal within days, intensifying focus on child safety in the state.
Key Takeaways
A 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped by Sheikh Rabiul in Malda district, West Bengal on Sunday .
The accused fled to Purnia, Bihar after the incident but was arrested the same night using technology.
The victim is currently undergoing treatment at Malda Medical College and Hospital in serious condition.
Malda Additional SP Maqsood Hasan confirmed a special team carried out the inter-state arrest.
Police have applied for seven days' custody of the accused; a speedy trial has been sought.
The incident follows an alleged rape and murder of a minor in South 24 Parganas' Baruipur area, raising broader child safety concerns in Bengal.
A 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped in West Bengal's Malda district on Sunday, with police arresting the accused, identified as Sheikh Rabiul, from Purnia, Bihar within hours of the complaint being filed. The swift inter-state operation came after Rabiul allegedly fled across the border following the incident.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to police, Rabiul exploited an opportunity on Sunday afternoon when his house was unoccupied to call the 12-year-old minor to his residence. He allegedly raped her there. The girl fell seriously ill upon returning home, prompting her family to rush her to Malda Medical College and Hospital, where she remains under treatment.
The family filed a written complaint, and a case was registered promptly. The incident triggered tension across the locality, leading authorities to deploy a police picket in the area to maintain order.
Accused Traced and Arrested in Bihar
After the news broke, Rabiul reportedly went into hiding and fled to Purnia in Bihar. Police said a special team was formed immediately after the complaint was received. Using technology, the team tracked and arrested Rabiul late Sunday night.
Malda Additional Superintendent of Police Maqsood Hasan confirmed that the accused was apprehended with the help of a dedicated team. 'After receiving the complaint, a special team was formed and the accused was arrested from Bihar,' Hasan said, adding that arrangements would be made to ensure punishment through a speedy trial.
Court Appearance and Custody Bid
Rabiul was produced before the Malda District Court on Monday. Police applied for seven days' custody of the accused to facilitate further investigation into the case.
Second Such Incident in Bengal Within Days
This case comes close on the heels of an alleged rape and murder of a minor in South 24 Parganas district's Baruipur area, drawing renewed scrutiny over child safety in West Bengal. Notably, authorities have pointed to the speed of this arrest — within hours of the complaint — as evidence of prompt law enforcement response. The minor victim continues to receive treatment at Malda Medical College and Hospital, and her condition is described as serious.
Point of View
Yet it should not obscure the larger pattern: this is the second alleged sexual assault on a minor in West Bengal within a matter of days. Swift arrests are necessary but insufficient — the deeper question is why repeat incidents are occurring in close succession across the state. The call for a speedy trial is welcome, but Bengal's conviction rate in POCSO cases remains a critical benchmark that rarely receives the same attention as the arrest headlines. Accountability demands more than operational efficiency.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Malda minor rape case?
The accused has been identified as Sheikh Rabiul, who was arrested from Purnia, Bihar within hours of the complaint being filed. He was produced before the Malda District Court on Monday.
What happened to the minor victim in the Malda case?
The 12-year-old victim fell seriously ill after the alleged assault and was admitted to Malda Medical College and Hospital, where she continues to receive treatment in a serious condition.
How was the accused caught in Bihar?
According to Malda Additional SP Maqsood Hasan, a special police team was formed immediately after the complaint was received and the accused was traced and arrested from Purnia, Bihar using technology, the same night he fled.
What legal action has been taken against the accused?
The accused was produced before the Malda District Court on Monday. Police have applied for seven days' custody for further investigation, and authorities have stated that a speedy trial will be arranged.
Is this the only recent minor assault case in West Bengal?
No. This incident comes shortly after an alleged rape and murder of a minor in the Baruipur area of South 24 Parganas district, raising wider concerns about child safety across West Bengal.
