A group of monkeys reportedly intervened to save a six-year-old girl from an attempted sexual assault in Baghpat, a city in India.
According to the Times of India, in a report updated on Monday via its website, the incident occurred on Saturday and has left the local community stunned and authorities scrambling to apprehend the accused.
According to the girl’s parents, an unidentified man lured their daughter, a UKG student, to an abandoned house.
The situation took a dramatic turn when several monkeys allegedly rushed aggressively towards the assailant, forcing him to flee and leave the child unharmed.
“My daughter was playing outside when the accused took her away,” the father told authorities.
He added, “The man could be seen in nearby CCTV footage, walking on a narrow lane with my daughter. He is yet to be identified, though. He also threatened my child that he would kill me… My daughter would have been dead by now if the monkeys had not intervened.”
Upon returning home, the traumatised child recounted her ordeal to her family, describing how the monkeys had “saved her from the accused.”
Baghpat Circle Officer Harish Bhadoria addressed the unusual circumstances, stating, “We’ve heard about the incident involving monkeys and are investigating the matter.”
According to the report, he confirmed that an FIR had been registered following the parents’ complaint. The case has been filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
“Following the parents’ complaint, an FIR was registered under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 356 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and the POCSO Act,” Bhadoria said.
He added that, “More sections will be added if needed. We’re trying to identify and nab the accused.”
The police are currently reviewing CCTV footage and conducting inquiries to identify and apprehend the suspect, who remains at large.
The report further added that the victim’s identity has been withheld to protect her privacy, in accordance with Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault.
