Rajasthan: Policemen gangraped Dalit woman, plucked her nails with screwdriver
What's the story
A 35-year-old Dalit woman has leveled serious allegations on policemen in Rajasthan. The woman, who has four kids, claimed officers at a police station in Churu kept her in custody for seven days, gangraped her, and killed her bother-in-law in front of her. As she undergoes treatment, the survivor said she wants the accused to be hanged. Here's her gut-wrenching story.
Beginning
Woman's brother-in-law was arrested in connection to theft case
The nightmare of the victim's family started on June 30, reports IE. The woman's 22-year-old brother-in-law was picked up by police in connection to a theft case. On July 3, he was brought home. "When they took him back the same day, they took my wife too. Later, on the night of July 6-7, police tortured and murdered my brother," the victim's husband said.
Rape
Woman claimed police stripped and raped her, ignored pleas
Even after her brother-in-law died, police didn't release the victim until July 10. They held her captive illegally, and tortured her, she alleged. "After taking me to the Sardarshahar police station, police started thrashing me. After 11 pm, five-six policemen came in drunk, stripped and raped me. The men included the SHO. They didn't listen to my pleas," the survivor told the daily.
Threats
When woman protested rape, policemen threatened to kill her
Further, the woman alleged that policemen injected her with some drug which made her lose consciousness. She also claimed that officers took her thumb impression on blank papers and gave her death threats. "When I resisted their attempts to rape me, they said they would burn me by pouring petrol on me and gave me electric shocks," the woman added.
Details
Accused officers didn't pay attention to female constable's requests either
Moreover, the woman claimed she saw policemen bringing a rope to hang her brother-in-law. The victim said a woman constable tried to stop the officers, but they told her to shut up. "We want immediate arrest of those policemen... They should be punished, hanged for what they did," the woman said. Her husband, who is reportedly in his late 30s, agreed.
Torture
Victim's husband also revealed details of her torture
Giving more details about the incident, her husband said whenever he asked police about his wife, the officers told him she was "under arrest". "They plucked out the nails of my wife with screwdriver and tortured her mercilessly," he added. Notably, a judicial inquiry into the death of her brother-in-law has been ordered. Separately, an FIR into the gangrape case was filed on Saturday.
Action
A case has been registered, accused officers suspended
The case has been registered under IPC Sections 376-D (gangrape), 343 (wrongful confinement for three or more days), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and relevant sections of the SC and ST (Prevention Of Atrocities) Act. The CID crime branch is probing allegations against six policemen, including SHO of the station. All the accused personnel and officer of police circle have been suspended.
Political turn
Naturally, BJP questioned Congress' governance after victim spoke up
Meanwhile, the government has also removed Churu SP Rajendra Kumar Sharma. Besides this, all staff members of Sardarshahar police station, including the woman constable who tried to save her, have been sent to police lines. The horrifying case turned political after BJP slammed ruling-Congress over the crippling law and order situation. But Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma claimed the rape allegations were untrue.
Quote
After she was doubted, victim asked why would she lie
To those who questioned her story, the victim said, "Don't you see the bruises? Where have my nails gone then? Why would I say that I was raped, risk threats if the incident didn't happen?"