On Thursday, August 31, 2023, a disturbing incident unfolded in the village of Nichalkota, situated in Rajasthan's Pratapgarh district, where a tribal woman endured public humiliation at the hands of her husband and his family. The appalling incident came to light after a video of the ordeal went viral on social media on Friday, September 1.
Local authorities swiftly responded to the shocking video, with the Rajasthan Police mobilizing teams to apprehend those responsible. Preliminary investigations suggest that the woman's humiliation stemmed from her alleged involvement in a relationship with another man, which triggered the ire of her husband and in-laws.
The viral video depicted a man forcibly stripping the 21-year-old woman in front of a crowd, subjecting her to a degrading and naked public parade. This horrifying incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Pahada Gram Panchayat and Dhariyavad police station in Pratapgarh district.
According to police reports, the victim had only been married for a year when the accusations against her surfaced. Her husband and in-laws accused her of cohabiting with another man within their village.
Director General of Police (DGP) Umesh Mishra provided further insight into the incident, stating, "The woman faced punishment at the hands of her in-laws, who took her to the village square for the deplorable act. Their anger stemmed from her alleged relationship with another man."
In response to this heinous crime, the Rajasthan Police have arrested three individuals, including the victim's husband, Kana Meena. Additionally, seven other suspects connected to the case have been apprehended. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the ten individuals under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 294 (pertaining to obscene acts), 354 (related to assaulting women), 365 (involving kidnapping), and section 67 of the Information Technology Act, which deals with the transmission of obscene material.
Reacting to the public outrage surrounding the incident, Rajasthan's Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and assured action. He tweeted, "In Pratapgarh district, a video of a woman being stripped naked by her in-laws has surfaced in a family dispute. The Director General of Police has been instructed to send ADG Crime to the scene and take strict action in this matter. There is no place for such criminals in a civilized society. These criminals will be promptly incarcerated and brought to justice through a fast-track court."
NCW vehemently condemns the harrowing incident in Pratapgarh, Rajasthan. A woman was molested, stripped, and recorded on video. Despite it happening two days ago, police inaction is unacceptable. @sharmarekha has instructed the state's DGP to promptly arrest the culprits and… https://t.co/qrf250LHYt
— NCW (@NCWIndia) September 2, 2023
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken note of the incident and criticized the police for their perceived inaction prior to the video going viral. The NCW has demanded a comprehensive report from the police within five days.
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— Anil_Jacob_IV🇮🇳 (@follow_amj) September 1, 2023
This video is from Rajasthan.
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Women's safety has become a growing concern in Rajasthan, with numerous cases of heinous crimes against women reported in the state. On July 21, 2023, Rajasthan's Rural Development Minister, Rajendra Singh Gudha, raised the issue of women's safety in the state. However, he was dismissed from his position by the Congress government after addressing this concern in the state assembly.
