Two Teens Assaulted at Hyderabad Party, Two Arrested under POCSO

Two 17‑year‑old girl students were sexually assaulted after being forced to drink alcohol at a party in Balanagar on the night of Oct 1, and police have filed a POCSO case against two suspects. The suspects identified are Ganesh, also known as Ghana, 19, and Tarun, 26, who is married. Ganesh was dating one of the girls and invited her to the venue, where she arrived with a friend. Police Inspector H. Prabhakar of Madhuranagar said the youths made the girls each drink one beer before assaulting them. One victim later felt ill and was rushed to a hospital, prompting suspicion of sexual assault. At the hospital the girls disclosed what had happened. Their statements were recorded at a Bharosa Centre. Both girls were admitted to the Madhuranagar hospital for treatment. After recovering they approached Madhuranagar police and lodged a formal complaint. Based on the complaint, the police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The investigation will be handed over to Balanagar police because the crime occurred there. The police have opened an investigation to gather more evidence and identify any accomplices. ## Context The POCSO Act is a special law that deals with sexual crimes against children and mandates swift police action. Alcohol misuse at teen gatherings can increase vulnerability to such crimes.