Man held in Kotdwar for allegedly raping daughters over several years

A cloth salesman in Uttarakhand was arrested for allegedly raping his daughters, aged 17 and 19, after his wife filed a complaint alleging years of sexual abuse, police said on Tuesday, Aug 18.

The 46-year-old man, a resident of Kotdwar in Pauri district, was arrested based on available evidence, the victims' statements and interrogation. He was sent to jail after being produced in court.

In her complaint at Kotdwar police station, the woman alleged her husband had raped both daughters, now 19 and 17 over several years and had threatened to kill them if they reported it to police or anyone else.

Police registered a case under Sections 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 64(2)(f) (rape by a person in a position of authority, including a relative) and 64(2)(m) (repeated rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and opened an investigation.

Police said a preliminary probe pointed to an underlying domestic dispute between the husband and wife, but stressed the abuse allegations were not being dismissed as merely a family feud. A thorough investigation into the claims was under way, they said.

Officers said the victims' statements had been recorded, evidence gathered, and the accused questioned. The man has allegedly confessed to the crime, police said.