Two minors sexually assaulted in Chhattisgarh, MP; accused still at large
Synopsis
Two eight-year-old girls were sexually assaulted in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh within days of each other — one near her home while gathering mangoes, another inside a hospital bathroom. Both accused remain at large, deepening public outrage and raising urgent questions about child safety in the two states.
Key Takeaways
An eight-year-old girl was allegedly assaulted in Surajpur district, Chhattisgarh , by a middle-aged man from her village who remains at large.
A second eight-year-old girl was allegedly assaulted inside a bathroom at Bundelkhand Medical College, Madhya Pradesh , by a fellow patient who has since fled.
Cases have been registered under the POCSO Act and stringent penal provisions in both states.
Police in Madhya Pradesh have reportedly identified the accused through CCTV footage and are closing in on an arrest.
Both incidents have triggered widespread public outrage, with communities demanding faster arrests and stronger child safety measures.
Two separate incidents of sexual assault on minor girls have come to light in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, with both accused still at large as of 9 May, triggering public outrage and renewed concerns over child safety in the two states. In both cases, police have registered cases and launched efforts to trace the perpetrators.
Chhattisgarh: Eight-year-old assaulted near her home in Surajpur
In Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh, an eight-year-old girl, a third-grade student, was allegedly sexually assaulted while she had gone to gather mangoes near her home. According to police sources, a middle-aged man from the same village allegedly took advantage of the situation, committed the assault, and fled the area.
The child's condition deteriorated upon returning home, prompting her family to immediately alert the police. Authorities registered a case under stringent penal provisions and the victim was taken for a medical examination. The district administration has assured strict action, though the accused remains at large.
Madhya Pradesh: Girl assaulted inside Bundelkhand Medical College hospital
In a separate and deeply disturbing incident in Madhya Pradesh, an eight-year-old girl who was admitted to Bundelkhand Medical College for treatment was allegedly sexually assaulted inside a hospital bathroom. The accused, reportedly a patient at the same facility, allegedly followed the child into the bathroom before fleeing the premises.
The terrified child narrated the ordeal to her mother, causing widespread chaos within the hospital. Police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and began examining CCTV footage to identify and trace the accused. Authorities have reportedly identified the suspect during preliminary investigations, and efforts are underway to arrest him.
Community outrage and demands for action
Both incidents have sparked widespread anger and anxiety among parents and residents in the affected areas, highlighting the vulnerability of children even in spaces presumed to be safe — a home neighbourhood and a hospital. Officials in both states have promised swift and strict action.
However, the fact that both perpetrators remain at large has left communities deeply unsettled and demanding stronger measures to ensure child safety and justice. This comes amid a broader national concern over the implementation and effectiveness of the POCSO Act in ensuring timely arrests and convictions.
What happens next
In the Madhya Pradesh case, police are expected to make an arrest shortly given that the suspect has reportedly been identified through CCTV footage. In Chhattisgarh, a search operation is underway in and around Surajpur district. Both cases will be tried under stringent child protection laws, and authorities have been urged by community members to expedite the process.
Point of View
Delayed arrests remain a recurring pattern that erodes its deterrent value. The real accountability question is not just whether the accused will be caught, but why neither a village nor a hospital could protect an eight-year-old in the first place.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Chhattisgarh minor assault case?
An eight-year-old girl in Surajpur district, Chhattisgarh, was allegedly sexually assaulted by a middle-aged man from her village while she was gathering mangoes near her home. The accused fled after the assault and remains at large; police have registered a case under stringent penal provisions.
What happened in the Madhya Pradesh hospital assault case?
An eight-year-old girl admitted to Bundelkhand Medical College in Madhya Pradesh was allegedly sexually assaulted inside a hospital bathroom by a fellow patient. The accused escaped after the incident; police have filed a POCSO case and are using CCTV footage to trace him.
Have the accused been arrested in either case?
As of 9 May, both accused remain at large. In the Madhya Pradesh case, authorities have reportedly identified the suspect through CCTV footage and an arrest is expected soon. In Chhattisgarh, a search operation is ongoing in Surajpur district.
Under which law have the cases been registered?
The Madhya Pradesh case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Chhattisgarh case has been registered under stringent penal provisions; both carry serious penalties upon conviction.
Why are these cases significant?
Both incidents highlight the vulnerability of children even in spaces considered safe — a home neighbourhood and a hospital. The cases have reignited public debate about the effectiveness of POCSO enforcement and the need for stronger child safety protocols in public institutions across India.
