In Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district, a 15-year-old Muslim minor was allegedly groomed by a man who convinced her to drug her own family, steal valuables, and elope with him. Once she complied, she was taken to a banquet hall, where she was brutally gang-raped by the same man and his associates.
The Manipulation That Led to the Crime
According to the complaint filed by the girl’s mother, the accused, identified as Titu Pal, works as a motorcycle mechanic in Haridwar. Over the past six months, he had developed a friendship with the minor through regular phone conversations. What the girl did not know was that Titu Pal has a criminal history, with six cases already registered against him in different police stations, including one for stone pelting in December 2025.
Police officials say that Titu Pal allegedly manipulated the teenager in the name of “love”, trapping her into believing he would marry her. On April 5, he met the girl during the day and handed her a sedative. He instructed her to mix the drug into her family’s dinner so they would fall unconscious. He also asked her to collect jewellery and cash from the house before running away with him.
A Family Drugged, A Home Robbed
Following his instructions, the minor mixed the sedative into the evening meal. Her mother and two younger sisters fell unconscious after eating. The girl’s father works in Saudi Arabia and was not present at the time.
Later that night, Titu Pal arrived at her house. The teenager took gold and silver jewellery along with ₹10,000 in cash and left with him, believing she was eloping with someone who cared for her.
The Betrayal at the Banquet Hall
Instead of leaving the area together, Titu Pal told the girl that some of his friends were nearby and that they would meet them briefly before departing. He then took her to a room in a banquet hall near the village. There, along with three accomplices, he allegedly gang-raped her.
After the brutal assault, the accused fled the scene, taking with them the jewellery and cash that the girl had stolen from her own home.
The Survivor’s Return and Police Action
The minor somehow managed to return home and broke down, informing her family about the horrific ordeal she had been put through. Upon receiving the information, police officials rushed to the spot. Senior officers also reached the village to assess the situation and record the statements of the survivor and her family.
A case was registered based on a complaint filed by the girl’s mother.
Police have taken Titu Pal and two of his associates into custody. A juvenile was also found to be involved in the crime and has been detained. However, a fourth accused, identified as Ritesh, remains absconding. Police said the stolen jewellery and cash are believed to be with him, and efforts are underway to trace him.
A Criminal History Hidden from the Victim
Investigators revealed that Titu Pal had been booked by police in December 2025 for stone pelting and other criminal cases. Despite his history, the 15-year-old girl was completely unaware of his background, having been manipulated over months of phone conversations.
Police officials stated that the accused deliberately targeted a minor from a household where the father was working abroad, likely assuming that the absence of a male guardian would make the family more vulnerable.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
The accused individuals have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and other relevant laws given the gang-rape of a minor. Given that the victim is a Muslim minor and the accused is from a different community, authorities are also examining whether provisions under relevant laws apply, though police have not officially commented on this aspect of the case.
Police continue to search for the absconding accused Ritesh. Officials have also confirmed that they are investigating whether the banquet hall management was aware of or complicit in the crime.
The Survivor’s Current Condition
The 15-year-old girl is currently receiving medical care and psychological counselling. She continues to live with her mother and two younger sisters, while her father is reportedly returning from Saudi Arabia following news of the incident.
