Forest official arrested for molesting tribal girl in C'garh

A deputy forest ranger was arrested for allegedly molesting a minor tribal girl in Chhattisgarhs Balrampur district, police said today.

Om Prakash Tiwari (50), posted as Deputy Ranger in Chalgali Forest range, was arrested yesterday after the victim's kin filed a complaint stating that Tiwari had molested the 16-year-old girl on June 26, an official said.

"The complainant has said that work related to planting saplings was underway in Chalgali forest and the accused asked those involved, including the victim, to stay over for the night at the forest department's guest house," the official said.

The victim, in her complaint, stated that Tiwari tied her hands and legs and tried to molest her during the night, police said.

Woken up by her screams, the other labourers rescued her, she has said in her complaint.

A case was registered on June 30 under relevant sections of the IPC as well as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Tiwari was arrested yesterday, he said.

Balrampur Divisional Forest Officer Vivekanand Jha said that a departmental inquiry would be conducted against Tiwari.