In a bizarre and heart-stopping incident, the parents of a six-year-old girl in India claim their daughter was saved from an attempted sexual assault by a troop of monkeys.
The incident occurred in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday, and the child was unharmed, according to the family. The girl’s father told The Times of India that an unidentified man lured the child into an abandoned house through the narrow lanes of their village. However, the man’s plans were abruptly halted when a group of aggressive monkeys charged at him, forcing him to abandon his assault and flee the scene. The child managed to escape and later described how the “monkeys saved her,” the family said.
Local police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, but the assailant has not yet been identified. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby CCTV cameras, which reportedly captured the man walking with the girl before the attack.
“My daughter was playing outside when the accused took her away,” the father said. “The man can be seen in nearby CCTV footage, walking in a narrow lane with my daughter.” The girl also told her parents that the man threatened to kill her father if she revealed the incident to anyone. “My daughter would have been dead by now if monkeys had not intervened,” the father added.
Ongoing investigation into ‘Involving Monkeys’
Harish Bhadioria, a local police officer, said they are investigating the incident “involving monkeys.” A formal complaint has been lodged under the POCSO Act, and police are actively working to track down the attacker.
Monkeys are a common presence in many parts of India, often living in close proximity to human settlements due to the loss of their natural habitat. Some species, particularly rhesus macaques, are known for aggressive behaviour when threatened.
In the predominantly Hindu nation, monkeys are also considered sacred by many, as they are linked to Lord Hanuman, who is frequently portrayed in the form of a monkey.
It is not uncommon for devotees to feed these animals, particularly around temples, where large groups of monkeys are often found. As authorities continue their search for the suspect, the girl’s family remains grateful for the unexpected intervention that turned what could have been a devastating tragedy into an extraordinary tale of survival.