Archive · 25 Aug 2026
17-Year-Old Girl Allegedly Gangraped in Pachmarhi; Three Arrested
Police say a 17-year-old girl was attacked by three men in a forest near Pachmarhi.
The alleged incident happened on August 19.
The girl had been traveling with a male acquaintance when the men took them to a secluded area.
Police say the men tied up the acquaintance and threatened both of them.
The girl was then allegedly sexually assaulted.
The men later left both people at a bus stand and warned them not to tell anyone.
The girl told her sister about the incident on August 23.
Her family then contacted the police.
Police say the three accused were arrested quickly and charged under laws protecting children.
Police said a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gangraped by three men in a forest near Pachmarhi on August 19.
The accused allegedly took the girl and her male acquaintance sightseeing, tied him to a gypsy, and threatened both victims.
Police identified the accused as gypsy driver Hariom and hotel workers Pawan Bansal and Abhishek Vanshkar.
The girl told her sister about the alleged assault on August 23, after which her family filed a complaint.
Police said all three accused were arrested within six hours and booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act.
- Who
- A 17-year-old girl is the alleged survivor; police identified the accused as gypsy driver Hariom and hotel workers Pawan Bansal and Abhishek Vanshkar.
- What
- Police said the girl was allegedly gangraped after her male acquaintance was tied up and both were threatened.
- When
- Police said the alleged assault occurred on August 19; the girl told her sister and her family filed a complaint on August 23.
- Where
- A secluded, dense forest near the South Scout Guide area in Pachmarhi, Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- Police said the accused took the girl and her male acquaintance on a sightseeing trip before allegedly taking them to the forest and attacking her.
Police account
Political criticism
Handling of the case
Police account
Police said they registered a case after the family’s complaint, deployed multiple teams and arrested all three accused within six hours.
Political criticism
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari called the alleged gangrape a stain on law and order and demanded strong action.
Safety at Pachmarhi
Police account
Police described the alleged attack, the arrests and the accused’s links to local sightseeing and hotel work.
Political criticism
Jitu Patwari said the incident raised fresh questions about women’s safety at Pachmarhi, a popular tourist destination, and alleged that unbridled crime had become a hallmark of Madhya Pradesh.
- Location
- Pachmarhi, Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh
- Alleged incident date
- August 19
- Complaint date
- August 23
- Accused
- Hariom, Pawan Bansal and Abhishek Vanshkar
- Arrest timing
- Police said all three were arrested within six hours of the report
- Accused occupations
- One local sightseeing gypsy driver and two local hotel workers
- Charges
- Sections 70(2), 115(2), 351(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act
