According to the police, a toy store salesman at the V3S Mall in Preet Vihar, east Delhi, reportedly assaulted a seven-year-old girl. The incident occurred on Sunday when the girl went to the toy shop while her grandmother was in the washroom. The accused, identified as 30-year-old Dheeraj Kumar, allegedly molested her during this time.

The incident was reported to the Delhi police via PCR, and the victim was treated at Hedgewar Hospital. She also received counselling from the Delhi Commission for Women. A case was registered against the accused under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

The accused, who is a resident of Aali village in Sarita Vihar, was arrested. The police stated that more investigation is being conducted.

The incident has sparked outrage among citizens and child rights activists who have demanded strict action against the accused. The Delhi Commission for Women has also called for the suspension of the mall's licence, stating that the mall management should be held responsible for the incident as they failed to make sure that children were safe on their property.

This incident is not an isolated one, and cases of sexual abuse and assault against minors have been on the rise in India. The National Crime Records Bureau reported that over 109,000 cases of crimes against children were registered in 2019 alone. This highlights the need for stricter laws and better implementation of existing laws to ensure the safety of children.

The incident also highlights the need for parents and guardians to be vigilant and ensure the safety of children while in public places. It is important to educate children about good touch and bad touch and to create a safe environment where they feel comfortable reporting any incidents of abuse or assault.

The accused in this case must be punished as per the law, and the incident should serve as a wake-up call for authorities and society as a whole to take action to prevent such crimes against children.

(With PTI Inputs)