Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh: In a heart-wrenching incident that lays bare the harsh reality of violence against women and minors in society, a 12-year-old girl, left semi-naked and bleeding after a brutal assault, desperately went door to door seeking help in Ujjain. Shockingly, people stared but refused to extend a helping hand. One man was even captured on CCTV shooing her away as she approached him for assistance.
This distressing sequence of events unfolded on Badnagar road, approximately 15 km from Ujjain's city center, and was captured by a nearby CCTV camera. The young girl, wearing only a tattered rag, continued her agonizing journey until she reached an ashram. There, a vigilant priest suspected that she had been a victim of sexual violence, promptly covering her with a towel and rushing her to the district hospital for medical examination.
The medical examination tragically confirmed the horrifying truth: the girl had been subjected to rape. Given the severity of her injuries, she was immediately transferred to Indore for specialized care. In a heartwarming display of solidarity, police personnel stepped forward to donate blood, aiding in her recovery. Her current condition is reported to be stable.
During the initial investigation, the senior police officer assigned to the case faced a challenge as the traumatized girl could not provide coherent answers about her identity or place of residence.
Ujjain's law enforcement has acted swiftly, registering a case of rape against unidentified perpetrators while invoking the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Police Chief Sachin Sharma has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expedite the identification and apprehension of the culprits.
Addressing the media, Mr. Sharma stated, "The medical examination has confirmed rape. We have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and are closely following this case. We appeal to the people to inform the police if they have any information." When questioned about the exact location of the crime, he reassured that the investigation was underway, and further details would be made available soon.
Regarding the survivor's origin, the officer revealed, "The girl was not able to tell us exactly where she is from. But her accent suggests she is from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh."
This harrowing incident has once again spotlighted the concerning prevalence of violence against women and minors in Madhya Pradesh. Recent data from the National Crime Records Bureau reveals that Madhya Pradesh, along with Maharashtra, recorded the highest number of cases of women and girls disappearing between 2019 and 2021. Furthermore, the state reported the highest number of rape cases in the country in 2021, with a staggering 6,462 incidents, more than 50 percent of which targeted minors. These grim statistics equate to an alarming average of 18 rapes per day, underscoring the urgent need for concerted efforts to address this grave issue.
