Even as India Goes After Consenting Adults, Crimes Against Women Rise. In J’khand, 17 Men Gang-rape a Woman

Gender

Even as India Goes After Consenting Adults, Crimes Against Women Rise. In J’khand, 17 Men Gang-rape a Woman

Illustration: Robin Chakraborty

Crimes against women have been on the rise in the country. In a shocking incident from Jharkhand, a woman has been allegedly gang-raped by 17 drunk men in Dumka while she was returning from the market with her husband.

The raper survivor has been sent for medical examinations.

According to the complaint filed by the woman, the incident took place on Tuesday when she was returning from the weekly market with her husband. It was around 8 pm when the accused intercepted them. The woman states the accused were drunk. She said they held her hostage and five of them dragged her toward the bushes while the others overpowered her husband. All of them took turns to rape her.

An FIR was registered in the matter on Wednesday and one accused was caught while the hunt is on for the other 16. “As per the statement of the woman, she was returning with her husband from the village market on Tuesday night when 17 people intercepted her and took her husband hostage before committing the crime,” said Santhal region deputy inspector general Sudarshan Mandal.

After the complaint, the DIG visited the village along with Dumka superintendent of police (SP) Ambar Lakra. The DIG has stated that a thorough investigation is on and no one will be spared. “We are interrogating the villagers regarding the crime. We are investigating the matter meticulously, as the woman is changing her statement. When I was interrogating her in her village, she said there were five persons involved in the crime,” he stated.

Last week, in a separate incident, a 15-year-old Adivasi girl was gang-raped by five men in Khunti district. The minor was returning from a local fair when the incident took place. The opposition has alleged that a staggering 1,300 rape cases have taken place in 11 months under the current government.

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo hit out at the law and order situation in the state. “It’s jungle raj here. It’s a diabolical and dastardly act. The system seems to have crumbled. We demand stronger action against perpetrators of crime through a fast-track court,” he said.

Former Cabinet Minister for Social, Women, and Child Development, Dr Lois Marandi said, “The daughters of Jharkhand are not safe at all, not a day goes by when one doesn’t hear news of such cruelty.”

The incident triggered shock and outrage on social media, as people demanded swift and strict action in the case.

India needs to get its act together to maintain law and order and deliver punishment as quickly as possible in all cases of violence toward women. Only then, will we be able to tackle the rape epidemic haunting India every day.

Gender
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