Ludhiana: A 17-year-old boy has been booked for allegedly sexually assaulting his 15-year-old neighbour over the past several months and extorting money from her by threatening to leak her private photographs.The case came to light after the Class VII student confided in her family about the alleged abuse and threats. Police registered an FIR on the complaint of the girl’s mother.According to the complainant, the accused, a Class X student, allegedly sexually exploited the victim for the past three to four months. He is also accused of threatening to make her private pictures public and repeatedly pressuring her to hand over money.The family alleged that the teenager remained silent for months because she had been threatened by the accused. However, she eventually disclosed her ordeal when the demands for money continued.The investigating officer said police have registered a case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of rape, sexual assault on a minor and criminal intimidation, along with Sections 4 and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.Police said the allegations are being verified and further action will be taken in accordance with the law, keeping in view that the accused is also a minor.
