UP authorities bulldoze barber shop after ‘sexual assault’ on 8-year-old girl sparks protests
Times of India
by RAHUL SINGHFebruary 19, 2026
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Authorities in Lakhimpur Kheri, India, demolished a barber shop following widespread protests over the sexual assault of an eight-year-old girl by its owner, a 22-year-old man. The action was taken after the girl’s father, a local shopkeeper who knew the accused personally, approached police following his daughter's disclosure of the ordeal. The suspect was arrested, and an FIR was filed under sections related to rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The demolition came despite legal precedents questioning such practices. Earlier rulings by India’s Supreme Court have deemed "bulldozer justice" unconstitutional, arguing that targeting entire families or properties for individual crimes violates the rule of law. However, authorities justified the action as necessary to maintain order amid intense public outrage.
The barber shop had been operational for over a decade but was reportedly built on encroached land. Police deployed heavy force during the demolition to manage the large crowd gathered at the site. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between justice delivery and property rights in India, particularly in cases involving minorities.
The survivor’s father shared that his daughter often visited the shop without any prior objection, as the family trusted the accused. After learning of her trauma, he approached police, leading to the arrest of the suspect and the subsequent demolition of his business. The girl was medically examined and is reported to be stable.
This case underscores broader concerns about justice delivery in India, where public outrage often pressures authorities into swift actions that may bypass legal safeguards. It also raises questions about the use of property demolitions
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/19/2026