We are living in the 21st century, yet many blame the rape victims for their ordeal. Rather than supporting them in their battle to seek justice, they are shamed and treated like real culprits. Recently, one such incident in Madhya Pradesh came into the news that broke our hearts.
As per the sources, the police mentioned:
“On Sunday, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 21-year-old man in tribal-dominated Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh, following which villagers paraded both the accused and the victim in public by tying them with ropes”
A video went viral that shows the girl and the accused tied with the ropes and being beaten. The rape victim being forced to walk in the public in the village, along with her alleged rapist, amidst slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.
Later, the police rescued the girl. Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Dilip Singh Bilwal said two cases were registered on Sunday on the FIRs lodged by the victim.
As per the sources, the rape accused is married with two children. While sharing the details, Bilwal mentioned,
“One of the cases was registered against the 21-year-old man who is accused of rape. Another FIR was registered against family members of the girl and villagers for parading her in the village and beating her,”
In total, six persons including the man who is accused of rape, and five villagers, have been arrested.
The accused has been booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Even the victim’s family members and relatives were booked under sections 294 (Obscene act in public places), 355 (Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 342 (wrongful confinement), and other sections of the IPC.
