Hyderabad, Sep 14: A minor girl was drugged, abducted and sexually assaulted by nine people over a span of three days in Medchal Malkajgiri district near Hyderabad.

All the accused were booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and arrested after the victim escaped from their clutches and lodged a complaint at Alwal Police Station under Malkajgiri Police Commissionerate.

The 16-year-old girl, a Class 11 student, was sexually assaulted on various occasions by the accused including those known to her, at different places including in a car, during a train journey and in a hotel room.

According to police, the victim came in contact with one J. Varun when she was in 10th class. A few months ago, the accused sexually assaulted her in his car after giving her a chocolate laced with sedatives. Another youth Romala Varun, who was introduced to her by J. Varun, also sexually assaulted her after making her a cigarette, liquor and Ganja addict.

Preliminary investigation by police revealed that the victim had earlier came in touch with one David Varun through Instagram. The accused had made her consume liquor and misbehaved with her.

Suspicious over her behavior, the girl’s father admonished her on September 9. Angry over this, the girl left the house and reached Bollarum Railway Station, where a person Neeraj met her. He called his friend Vicky and they sexually assaulted the victim after giving her some intoxicated substances.

Later, Vicky along with another friend Nikhil took the girl to a OYO room in Dulapally. Vicky and Nikhil along with two others sexually assaulted her. On the night of September 9, Vicky brought her his house in Bollarum and confined her here.

The next day she managed to escape and reached Bollarum Railway Station. Vicky along with his friend Ganesh reached there and forcibly drugged her. They took her to Medchal Railway Station. From there, they took her to Malkajgiri and on the way sexually assaulted her in the train. After reaching Malkajgiri, they boarded an autorickshaw. However, she managed to escape and reached her house and with the help of family members approached police.

On a complaint by the victim, police registered cases under POCSO Act and various sections of BNS against the accused.

The police have also arrested manager and owner of OYO hotel for admitting the minor and allotting a room without proper verification.

Srinagar, Sep 14: Police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore area arrested a drug peddler with psychotropic substances while two others were arrested in Shopian district with heroin and charas on Monday.

Police said continuing its sustained drive against the drug menace, Sopore Police arrested a drug peddler and recovered 240 capsules of Spasmo-Proxyvon Plus along with Rs 47,000 in cash.

During naka checking at Amargarh Crossing, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Tarzoo, a truck bearing Registration No. JK05H-4164, driven by Jahangir Ahmad Dar son of Nazir Ahmad Dar resident of Patoosa, Rafiabad, was intercepted and subjected to checking.

During the search, 240 capsules of Spasmo-Proxyvon Plus and Rs 47,000 in cash were recovered from the possession of the accused and seized in accordance with due legal procedure.

Accordingly, FIR No. 125/2026 under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Tarzoo and investigation has been taken up to ascertain the source and wider linkages involved.

Sopore Police reiterates its zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and remains committed to sustained action against drug peddlers to safeguard youth and society from the menace of narcotics.

Police have arrested two persons in separate operations in Shopian district and recovered substances suspected to be heroin and charas from their possession, officials said.

During naka checking at Kiloora Crossing, a police party from Police Station Imamsahib intercepted a person after noticing his suspicious movement, officials said.

A personal search led to the recovery of around 1.210 grams of a heroin-like substance. The person was identified as Murshid Ahmad Malik, a resident of Krawoora, Imamsahib.

Police have registered FIR No. 64/2026 under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Police Station Imamsahib and taken up investigation into the case.

In a separate operation, cops from Police Station Zainapora intercepted another person during naka checking at Babapora Zainapora crossing, officials said.

A search resulted in the recovery of around 18 grams of a charas-like substance. The accused was identified as Muneeb Ahmad Thoker, son of late Shamem Ahmad Thoker, a resident of Beibagh, Yaripora, Kulgam.

An FIR, numbered 120/2026, has been registered at Police Station Zainapora under relevant provisions of the law, and an investigation has been initiated to determine the source of the suspected contraband and other circumstances of the case, officials said.

The two cases are being investigated separately. The recovered substances have been described by police as heroin-like and charas-like material pending further legal and forensic procedures.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday extended his greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of the Gowri-Ganesha festival and wished for happiness, peace and prosperity across Karnataka. He also appealed for maintaining peace and harmony while celebrating the festival.

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswmay, BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra and other dignitaries also conveyed their wishes on the occasion.

In his message, Shivakumar prayed that with the blessings of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, the state would receive good rainfall and a bountiful harvest, and that happiness, peace and prosperity would prevail everywhere.

He said the light of contentment that has emerged in crores of households through the guarantee schemes would further enhance the festive spirit and joy of the occasion.

Shivakumar also paid special tribute to all mothers of the state, describing them as embodiments of Goddess Gowri, who is worshipped first.

The Chief Minister appealed to people to install eco-friendly Ganesha idols and celebrate the festival responsibly.

He urged people to maintain peace and harmony during the celebrations and immersion of Ganesha idols and make the festival a meaningful occasion. Shivakumar also released a one-minute video to convey his greetings to the people of the state.

Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda extended his heartfelt greetings to the people on the occasion of Gauri-Ganesha Chaturthi and prayed for peace, prosperity and well-being in the state.

In a message, Deve Gowda invoked the blessings of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Gauri, and prayed that everyone in the state be blessed with happiness, peace, prosperity and contentment.

“May the blessings of Goddess Gauri, the symbol of virtue and affection, and Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and giver of wisdom, bring new hope into the lives of everyone. I wish that all people are blessed with greater longevity, good health and prosperity,” he said.

Deve Gowda also prayed for relief from the drought-like situation prevailing in the state. He expressed hope that the situation would improve soon and that agriculture and farming activities would not be affected, bringing relief to the lives of people and livestock.

He concluded by extending his best wishes to everyone on the festive occasion.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy extended his greetings to the people of Karnataka on the occasion of Sri Swarna Gowri and Ganesh Chaturthi.

In a message, he wished the people of the state on the auspicious occasion, praying that Goddess Swarna Gowri, the primordial divine feminine, and Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles, would alleviate the difficulties and sufferings faced by everyone.

He also prayed that the blessings of the deities would bring happiness, peace, contentment and prosperity to all and ensure that these values prevail across the state.

BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra also extended his greetings. In his message, Vijayendra prayed that the blessings of Goddess Gowri would always remain upon the state and that she would bless everyone with happiness, prosperity and auspiciousness.

He said Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, should bless the homes and hearts of devotees across the state with happiness, peace, good health and prosperity.

Vijayendra also wished that Lord Ganesha would remove all obstacles in the pursuit of good deeds and give people the courage to face challenges, success in every new endeavour, and renewed hope, energy and enthusiasm in their lives.

He expressed hope that the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi would mark the beginning of a new phase of goodwill, harmony and noble deeds across Karnataka. Vijayendra has also released a video message.