A 51-year-old deputy director in the Woman and Child Development department of the Delhi government and his wife were arrested on Monday in connection with the rape of minor girl, police said.

The accused who has been identified as Premoday Khakha has been arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl, his friend's daughter, several times between November 2020 and January 2021, and also impregnating her.

As per the victim, the accused's wife Seema Rani, a housewife had given the victim abortion pills after she revealed to her about her pregnancy. 

Both husband and wife has been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Shortly before Khakha was arrested, he was suspended from his post as Assistant Director in the Delhi government's Women and Child Development Department.

The incident came to light when the girl, who is now in Class XII, narrated the unfortunate incident to a counsellor after she was hospitalised this month for having panic attacks. 

Reportedly, the victim was staying with Khakha whom she addressed as uncle at his home after her father's death in 2020.

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal has labelled the officer a 'predator' and called for his arrest. "... if the one whose job was to protect the daughters turns into a predator, then where will the girls go! Must be arrested soon!" she said.

(Source- PTI)