How safe is the national capital for girls? A question that has been asked a number of times before and sadly a question that resurfaces every now and then. This time, the dreadful news of a 16-year old girl being repeatedly raped by a juvenile and then gang raped by 25 men has been reported from Jamia Nagar in south East Delhi. This heinous crime is committed after the enforcement of the strong anti- rape law which was passed in 2013 in an aftermath of 2012 Nirbhaya Gang Rape. But all these laws seem to have not deterred the potential rapists from committing this heinous crime.
According to the sources, the girl was allegedly picked up by a boy who knew her. He blindfolded her and took her to an isolated place, where as many as 25 men pounced on her and gang raped her. This incident happened on the 25th of August. An FIR was registered on Saturday night after the medical examination of the victim confirmed rape. Following this incident the police have arrested the main accused who is a juvenile. The rest 24 men involved in the crime are yet to be arrested.
The victim is a class 9 student who was introduced to the prime victim by a school friend of hers. He is said to have befriended the victim. According to the victim’s mother who works as a domestic help, the accused lured the girl to a nearby place where he first raped her and filmed the act on August 11th.
Since then, he started blackmailing the girl and kept raping her. Over a period of time, he was joined by different people at different places. The girl’s family enquired about her being late to home, but she didn’t respond because she was threatened by the rapists about the consequences of doing so.
But when the girl returned home on Friday evening she complained about being in “Extreme Pain.” She had scratches on her body and could not walk and sit properly. “Even then she did not tell us anything. She shared the trauma one of my neighbours who then informed us,” the victim’s mother said.
The girl recognizes the prime suspect and the rest of them had their faces covered. They used to blindfold the girl before the heinous act. The incident was reported to the police after the victim’s mother sought financial help from one of her employers who is a social activist.
“She was inquiring about doctors and sought financial help. When asked who needs medical assistance in her family, she was initially reluctant. But later, she narrated the ordeal her daughter was suffering. We told her she must approach to the police as what has happened to her daughter is a heinous crime. After a lot of persuasion, she finally agreed to report the matter. We got her FIR lodged. She was immediately sent to hospital for medical examination and treatment,” said Musharraf Hussain – the social activist at whose place the victim’s mother works as a domestic help.
The police said the arrested boy, who is also a minor, is being questioned. During initial questioning, he has not confessed to his crime and disclosed names of the co-accused. “He has even denied knowing the victim. On the other hand, the girl is in extreme trauma. She is repeatedly changing her statement,” sources said. A private NGO is providing counseling to the victim. The police are also trying to get hold of the video clip.
But the question still stays as framed.. How safe is Delhi for girls?
