SULTAN BATHERY: A noted Congress leader in Sulthan Bathery has been charged with a sexual abuse case on the basis of the complaint lodged by a girl belonging to a tribal group. The case was registered against former panchayat president O M George. Police report say that George has been sexually assaulting the girl for more than one and half years. The girl and her parents were servants at George’s house.

The incident came into light when the victim tried to commit suicide. Child line activists have undertaken the protection of the victim and informed the incident to police immediately. The police took statements from the victim and filed a case. Police also say that the girl’s mobile phone contain some crucial evidence regarding the case. Meantime, it has been alleged that George tried to settle the case. At present, he has gone underground. The case is being investigated by Bathery CI. Since the victim is a minor, George has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) act.