Pratiksha : “Actress and others spike girl’s drink, assault at party”

CHENNAI: Two individuals, including a minor actress, have been apprehended in a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl after spiking her drink at a birthday celebration.

The law enforcement authorities have initiated a manhunt for a third suspect believed to be involved in the incident.

The accused have been identified as Pratiksha Akira, the actress, and her associate Somesh, a university student. According to the police, the victim had met Pratiksha a few months earlier at a local coffee shop.

Pratiksha extended an invitation to the girl to attend her birthday gathering at her residence in Saligramam last month. It was during this party that the actress purportedly served the young girl a drink laced with a sedative, causing her to lose consciousness.

“Exploiting the situation, Pratiksha, Somesh, and another individual named Williams proceeded to sexually assault the victim. The actress also issued threats to ensure the girl’s silence about the incident,” stated the police officials.

A few weeks later, the victim, experiencing abdominal discomfort, confided in her elder sister. Subsequently, she was taken to a medical facility where she disclosed the details of the assault.

The hospital staff promptly notified the authorities, leading to the filing of a formal complaint and the initiation of an investigation. On Saturday, the police took Pratiksha and Somesh into custody, and they were remanded for judicial proceedings.