Rajasthan: A tribal woman was allegedly stripped, beaten and paraded naked by her husband and in-laws in a village of Dhariyawad block of Pratapgarh district in Rajasthan. The incident came to light after a video went viral. The police have arrested seven people including the victim's husband in the case.
According to Director General of Police (DGP) Umesh Mishra, the incident took place on Thursday in the district's Nichalkota village of Pahada Gram Panchayat under Dhariyavad police station limits in the district.
"The matter came to the notice of the police on Friday evening after a video of the incident surfaced online. Shortly after, the district Superintendant of Police, the Inspector-General of Police and the SHO of the police station concerned along with other police personnel immediately reached the village," DGP told ANI.
SIT formed
According to the police, the woman was allegedly in a relationship with another man and this became the reason behind the incident. The in-laws of the woman allegedly kidnapped her and took her to their village where she was beaten and paraded naked.
Looking at the seriousness of the case the police have formed a five-member SIT.
Trigger Warning: Disturbing Visuals Ahead. Please watch with discretion.
Condemning the incident, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the accused "will be put behind bars as soon as possible."
Police assures strict action against those who had made the video
DGP Mishra said that the SIT formed under the supervision of IG Banswara Range and SP Pratapgarh would investigate all aspects of the incident and submit the report to the state government and police headquarters. After collecting technical and scientific evidence, it would promptly address the case.
He stated that a case had been registered under relevant sections of the IPC, Women's Indecent Control Act, and IT Act. To apprehend the accused, 30 police teams were formed, and senior police officers were dispatched to the scene.
"The formed teams raided all possible locations of the accused to effect their arrests, and within 12 hours, the police had arrested seven accused and detained four others," said DGP.
Mishra also emphasised that strict action would be taken against those who had made the video of this incident go viral on social media.
As expected, the issue soon became a political one, as the elections were around the corner, and the opposition BJP was set to begin its Parivartan Yatras from Saturday.
CM Gehlot visits victim, promises govt job & Rs 10 lakh
In response to this, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot skipped his planned visit to Gangapur city and instead went to the village where the incident took place. He met with the victim and announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh and a government job for her.
Condemning the incident, Gehlot said, "Such incidents and the criminals involved in them have no place in a civilized society. Such tragic and inhuman incidents should be condemned in one voice."
He also assured that the accused would face the strictest punishment by prosecuting them in a fast-track court.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women, the Rajasthan State Commission for Women, and the Rajasthan Human Rights Commission have taken cognizance of the case and requested detailed reports from the police and administration."
"The Director General of Police has been instructed to send ADG Crime on the spot and take strict action in this matter. There is no place for such criminals in a civilized society. These criminals will be put behind bars as soon as possible and punished after being prosecuted in a fast-track court," the CM added on 'X'.
Rajasthan BJP leader and Chittorgarh MP CP Joshi also reacted to the incident and posted on 'X', "Today Rajasthan is again ashamed. The administration did not have a clue about this female atrocity incident in the lower quota of Pahada Gram Panchayat of Dhariyawad Tehsil of Pratapgarh district. This explains why Rajasthan is ranked 1 in rape and atrocities against women."
Congress MLA from Dhariyawad Assembly segment in Pratapgarh district, Nagraj Meena, told ANI that he has directed the police to take immediate action in the matter.
"I arrived at the Dhariyawad police station as soon as I came to know about the incident. I have had a discussion with the District Collector and District Superintendent of Police on the matter. The incident that has happened has no limits for condemnation. The police will act promptly in this matter. I have already directed the police to take immediate action in this matter," he told ANI.
