Delhi Police has detained Delhi government's Women and Child Development department deputy director Premoday Khakha, 51, for allegedly raping and impregnating friend's daughter. The minor was living with the accused, whom she used to call ‘mama' and his family at their house after her father passed away in October 2020.
Khakha's wife Seema Rani, 50, has also been detained for allegedly providing abortion pills to the minor. Both have been charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Shortly before he was arrested, Khakha was suspended from his post.
According to the police, Khakha allegedly raped the girl on multiple occasions between November 2020 and January 2021.
When the girl became pregnant, she told Khakha's wife. The wife then asked her son to get medication to terminate the pregnancy and gave it to the girl.
The matter was brought to light when the girl, who is now in Class XII, narrated her ordeal to a counsellor after being hospitalised this month for panic attacks. She was admitted to St Stephen's Hospital, where she told a counsellor about the abuse.
Who is Premoday Khakha?
Khakha, who is currently serving as deputy director, had previously served as assistant director, Litigation and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), in the Women and Child Development (WCD) department. He was in-charge of the Juvenile Justice Board and Observation Home for Boys in Delhi.
He had also served as assistant director in the Department of Women & Child Development and was assigned for the implementation of Integrated Child Protection Scheme in Delhi and the superintendent- head of the office of Delhi's Juvenile Justice Board.
BJP alleged Khakha was handpicked to be OSD to minister WCD
Delhi WCD minister Atishi categorically denied having had Khakha as OSD.
“This is completely false. He has never worked with me,” Atishi said.
However, Khakha LinkedIn profile says that he has been working till date as OSD to government since March 2022.
As per a letter issued by WCD ministry, Khakha was appointed as OSD to then minister Kailash Gahlot on March 29, 2022. But he was removed on March 9, 2023 a day after Atishi had taken over as the minister WCD.
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