Fazilka, July 16: A granthi was arrested in Punjab's Fazilka district on Sunday, July 14, for allegedly molesting two minor girls. The accused, identified as Joginder Singh, is the head granthi of a gurudwara in Jalalabad. The alleged incident of molestation took place on July 7. Subsequently, a case was registered, leading to the arrest of Singh.

According to a report by The Tribune, a woman informed that her nine-year-old daughter and her daughter's six-year-old friend were playing near a gurdwara when the granthi allegedly called them inside. He enticed them with "prasad" and then physically abused them, she alleged in the complaint. Punjab Shocker: Man Sexually Assaults Daughter-in-Law in Ludhiana, Wife Reveals Ordeal to Husband Who Advises Her To Remain Silent; Case Registered.

On July 7, when the family of the victims filed a complaint, a case was registered under Section 74 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sahitya and Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The family also alleged that their complaint went unheard due to some pressure at the start. 

Jalalabad DSP Acchru Ram Sharma said that a search was being conducted to arrest the accused by raiding his house and potential hideouts, but the accused remained in hiding before they finally caught him and arrested him. Punjab Shocker: Gurdwara Chief Arrested for Molesting 13-Year-Old Girl in Hoshiarpur, Arrested.

Who Is a Granthi? 

A granthi is a person who reads the Guru Granth Sahib in a Gurudwara. They also lead prayers, perform ceremonies, and care for the holy book in a Sikh temple. Granthis are not traditional priests but are respected in the Sikh community for their religious role.

Women and Child Helpline Numbers:

Childline India – 1098; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women / Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/ 1291; Missing Child and Women – 1094.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2024 11:04 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).