16-year-old Dalit boy sexually assaulted by 7 minors after cricket bet in Uttar Pradesh

MEERUT: A 16-year-old Dalit boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by as many as seven youths (all minors) after he lost a Rs 50 bet during a cricket match and could not pay. The culprits recorded a video of the incident and circulated it among peers, who also sexually assaulted him several times by threatening to upload the clip on social media.Though the initial assault took place nearly a month ago at a village in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, the complaint was lodged only on Monday after the traumatised boy could not bear it any longer and narrated his ordeal to his family. The boy's father said his son was so traumatised that he did not step out of the house for days."The boy was sexually assaulted several times by the group members, all minors, on the pretext of his obscene video," said circle officer Vaibhav Pandey."Following a complaint, an FIR under sections 3 (2)(5) of the SC/ST Act, and 3A and 4 of the Pocso Act has been registered against seven youths, and three of them have been detained. Medical examination of the victim was done and his statements were recorded. Investigation is on. The dispute over the cricket match bet is also being investigated," said Pandey.