Gujarat horror: Tailor held for repeatedly raping 14-year-old daughter in Navsari

SURAT: A horrifying case of of abuse within the home has emerged in Navsari district, where a 43-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping his 14-year-old daughter over a prolonged period. The case came to light after the teenager confided in a relative, triggering police action.

Gandevi police registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by the victim’s mother and arrested the accused for charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

According to the sources, the abuse surfaced when the victim told her cousin about the abuse on May 30. The cousin informed the victim’s mother, who then approached police. The girl had remained silent earlier as her father had allegedly threatened her.

Police said the accused allegedly raped the minor on three consecutive days — May 9, 10 and 11 — when her mother was away at her job.

“The accused has been molesting his daughter for the last one year, since Oct 2024. In May this year, when her mother was out for work, the accused raped the victim. As the accused did tailoring work from home, he was always at home. In 2019, the accused went to Africa to work as a tailor for a company. He worked there till 2024 and then came back to Gandevi. The alleged sexual abuse began after that,” police said.

Investigators said the accused frequently watched obscene content on his mobile phone, which is likely to be seized and sent for forensic examination.

Police have initiated procedures to collect forensic samples from the accused. Further investigation is underway.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)