A horrifying incident of teen gang-rape has shaken Maharashtra and triggered public outrage. Over 30 people have been accused of gang-raping a 15-year-old girl multiple times. The incident came to the light when the survivor on Wednesday approached the Manpada police station after which a case was registered against 33 accused under IPC sections 376 (rape), 376 (n) (repeated rape), 376 (d) (gang-rape), 376 (3) (rape on a woman under 16 years of age) and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Among those accuesed, 24 arrested were produced in front of the Kalyan sessions court and were sent to police custody till September 29. Two other accused, who are minors, have been sent to Bhiwandi remand home. A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed under ACP Sonali Dhole to probe the case.
As per police, the offences were committed between January 29 this year and September 22. Additional Commissioner of Police (East region), Dattatray Karale, told the media: “It all started when the lover of the girl raped her in January and made a video of the incident. He started blackmailing her on the basis of that video. Later on, his friends and acquaintances gang-raped her at least on four to five occasions at different places, including Dombivili, Badlapur, Murbad and Rabale in the district. The girl is stable and search is on to nab the other accused involved in the crime.” The survivor knows almost all the attackers, the police added.
Some of the accused are believed to be associated with a political party. The case has caused public outrage and has also seized the attention of political parties who have demanded the toughest punishment for those who assaulted the teen. Former Maharashtra chief minister and Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis said the culprits must be severely punished. The government must take these incidents seriously and act expeditiously. Maharashtra BJP vice president Chitra Wagh, who reached Dombivli, lashed out at the Maha Vikas Aghadi and alleged that the state government was not serious about the safety of women. “The government is neither implementing the Shakti law in the state, nor filling up the post of the chairperson of the women’s commission,” she said. She added that in light of recent cases of violence against women, the demand for a special session called by the Governor for the safety of women is justified. NCP MLA Vidya Chavan staged a protest outside the police station and demanded the accused persons be handed over to them so that they can teach them a lesson.
Several instances of rape and crime against women have been reported in the past weeks in Maharashtra. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asking for a special session looking at law and order situation. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray had hit back on Monday saying the Governor should request the Centre to call a session of Parliament to discuss the issue. Shiv Sena leader and deputy chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe said the Dombivli incident should not be politicized. The survivor should be protected, given counseling and rehabilitated, she said.