A shocking and deeply disturbing case of prolonged sexual abuse has come to light in Gujarat's Rajkot district, where a 45-year-old man allegedly raped his daughter repeatedly over four years, beginning when she was a minor. The abuse reportedly intensified after his wife was diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer and became bedridden.
The incident surfaced in Upleta town when the victim, now 19 years old, went missing from her family home. Her father, who is physically disabled (affected by polio since infancy) and works as an electrician repairing electronics, filed a missing person report with the Upleta police around three days prior to her disclosure. What began as a routine search quickly unraveled into a horrific revelation of incestuous rape.
Upon being located and questioned by authorities, the young woman recounted years of trauma. She alleged that her father had been forcing her into sexual acts since she was around 15 years old. The exploitation continued for nearly four years, often occurring inside the family home without the knowledge of other relatives.
According to her statement to police, the accused would play pornographic videos before assaulting her and deliberately increase the television volume to drown out her cries or any resistance, ensuring the acts remained concealed from the bedridden mother or others in the household.
The survivor told investigators: "He has been forcing physical relations on me for the last three to four years," describing how the abuse began after her mother's cancer diagnosis left her unable to intervene or notice the ongoing crime.
Police registered a case at Upleta police station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to rape and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, given that the abuse started when the victim was a minor.
During interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to the crimes. Evidence collected from the victim's room included items such as gel, a mobile phone, and a protection kit, supporting the allegations.
Further investigation revealed even more alarming details: the man allegedly also sexually exploited his 17-year-old niece (his younger brother's daughter) for the past seven years, starting when she was around 10 years old. A separate offence was registered in this regard, and police indicated plans for additional custodial interrogation.
Rajkot Rural SP Vijaysingh Gurjar confirmed the arrest and the confession. The accused was produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody initially. Authorities are coordinating medical and support services for the bedridden wife, who is battling advanced-stage cancer (reported in some accounts as breast cancer), amid the family's joint living arrangement that included the brother's wife and daughter while the brother works elsewhere.
The victim is receiving counseling and medical attention, as the prolonged abuse reportedly took a severe toll on her physical and mental health, including issues like hypertension and abdominal swelling.
This case has sparked widespread outrage, highlighting vulnerabilities in family structures during times of illness and the urgent need for stronger safeguards against intra-familial abuse. Police continue their probe, with potential for additional charges as more details emerge.
Sources: Reports from India Today, NDTV, News18, Times of India, and The Indian Express (published late January to early February 2026).
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