RAIPUR: Municipal authorities in Raipur on Wednesday demolished an illegal structure belonging to a 65-year-old man accused of repeatedly raping a minor. The action followed the arrest of Abdul Sajjad Ansari for the alleged sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl over a period of five days.
The Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) deployed bulldozers to raze the shop located in the Civil Lines police station area. Officials stated that the structure was an unauthorised construction. The demolition took place after the accused failed to provide a satisfactory response to a show-cause notice issued on 16 January.
Case details
According to the police investigation, Ansari allegedly lured the victim, who lived in his neighbourhood, to his house between 7 January and 11 January. He reportedly used chocolates and food to entice the child before sexually assaulting her.
The matter came to light on 12 January when the girl’s aunt found her crying in pain. Upon questioning, the victim narrated her ordeal, revealing that the accused had threatened to kill her if she informed anyone. The family subsequently lodged a formal complaint at the Civil Lines police station.
The police arrested Ansari and produced him before a local court, which remanded him to judicial custody.
Municipal action
Raipur Mayor Meenal Choubey directed officials to verify the legality of the accused’s property following the incident. “The shop was built in violation of municipal regulations. We had pasted a notice on 16 January, granting time for a representation. Since no valid explanation was provided, the illegal portion was demolished today,” an RMC official said.
The civic administration stated that a zero-tolerance policy is being maintained against individuals involved in heinous crimes, particularly concerning illegal encroachments.
