In Ujjain Rape Case, Those Who Didn’t Help Teen May Face Charges: Police

Those who did not help a 15-year-old girl in Ujjain – who had been raped and left half-naked.

And bleeding, and went door-to-door begging for help – may be charged under anti-child sex abuse laws, a senior Madhya Pradesh police officer. They may face action under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act for ‘failing to report or register the commission’ of a crime.

Jayant Singh Rathore, an Additional Superintendent of Police in Ujjain, said that at least one such individual had been identified – an auto rickshaw driver who “knowingly did not inform the police”.

“Action has been taken against him. CCTV footage will be studied. If more people are found, and it is clear they did not help (the girl) or did not inform the police, we will take legal action,” he said.

The auto-rickshaw driver has been identified as Rakesh Malviya.

Police have said he ferried the traumatised young girl in his vehicle – they found blood stains on the seat – but did not tell the police of her condition.

The question now is – will others who similarly refused to help her also face police action? Will they act against the people who saw and ignored a young girl bleeding and in clear distress?

Police review of that footage showed others had been equally heartless, but Ujjain top cop Sachin Sharma disagreed with the statement that no one helped the girl.

“We traced the video and questioned people in the area. When we found her, she had ₹ 120 people from the locality gave her… people may have had reservations, but financially they tried.”

None of those, however, took her in off the streets and called the police. Not till she came upon a priest who protected her and alerted the authorities.

Good Samaritans In Police Too
Fortunately for the young girl, there were still some people willing to help.

Apart from the priest, two policemen donated blood and the cop credited with solving the case has indicated his willingness to adopt the girl, if her family cannot be traced.

“We were on duty for the President’s visit… we came forward and reached the hospital to donate blood,” Jaipal Goyal, one of the policemen, said.

Accused’s Father Wants Death Penalty
Meanwhile, the father of the main accused – Bharat Soni – has said his son must be punished and asked “what other punishment would there be other than death?” “This is very wrong. He should be punished… I would have killed him.

The main accused is also an auto-rickshaw driver and was caught after an extensive investigation that included scanning through footage from nearly 700 CCTV feeds. “30-35 people were engaged. No one slept for three-four days,” Ajay Verma, a senior police officer.

Once caught, the accused was taken to where he allegedly raped the girl. There, however, he tried to escape but was run down by two police officers. All three men suffered injuries in the fight that followed.

“Today, we reached the spot to… recover the clothes worn by the girl. Sensing an opportunity, Bharat Soni tried to escape. Police personnel chased and caught him. During this, he fell on a cemented road, injuring his arms and legs,” another police officer told reporters.

Who Is The Girl?
Police have said the girl is stable after surgery but they have not taken a statement yet since she is incoherent. A missing person’s complaint was filed in another district and authorities are working to establish if this is the same girl. If yes, then she has a grandmother and a brother.