New Delhi: Premoday Khakha, a Deputy Director in Delhi government's Women and Child Development department, has been suspended from service after being taken into police custody on Monday. He is facing charges of repeatedly raping his late friend's teenaged daughter in 2020-21, as well as his wife for allegedly administering medicine to abort her pregnancy. This incident comes a week after a case was registered against him.

The survivor's father passed away on 1 October, 2020, and the girl started staying with Khakha and his family at their house in north Delhi. Allegedly, between November 2020 and January 2021, Khakha repeatedly raped the girl and impregnated her.

The survivor's mother took her to St Stephen's Hospital earlier this month after she suffered panic attacks. During counseling, the girl revealed the trauma she endured while staying with the Khakha family. The hospital authorities informed the police about the situation.

In addition to the rape charges, Khakha's wife reportedly administered medicines to the girl to induce an abortion after she became pregnant. The survivor, who is now in Class XII and had returned to her home in January 2021, shared this information with her counselors.

After being informed, the police registered a case under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sections 376(2)(f), 509, 506, 323, 313, 120B, and provisions of the POCSO Act.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took action by ordering the suspension of Khakha on Monday. He also instructed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to prepare and submit a report on the matter.

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) sent a notice to the Delhi Police earlier in the day, urging the arrest of the accused government official.

Swati Maliwal, Chairperson of the DCW, expressed her concern on Twitter about the incident. She highlighted the importance of protecting girls and criticized the accused official's actions.