MP: Tribal widow gang raped after robbery bid in Jhabua

Jhabua/Bhopal, July 11 (IANS) A widowed tribal woman was allegedly gang raped by three men after a group of unidentified assailants broke into her house during a suspected robbery attempt in Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua district, police said on Saturday.

The incident took place in the Bori area on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, they said.

According to police, the woman alleged that a group of armed men entered her house and demanded silver ornaments. When she told them she did not have the valuables they were looking for, the accused allegedly ransacked the house, scattered household articles and searched the premises before allegedly sexually assaulting her.

The woman alleged that three of the accused raped her and physically assaulted her before fleeing, police said. She was admitted to a hospital for treatment and underwent a medical examination. A forensic team visited the spot and collected evidence, police said.

Confirming the report, Jhabua Superintendent of Police (SP) Padma Vilochan Shukla said that an FIR has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and multiple teams have been formed to trace the accused.

Shukla told reporters that the victim’s statement has been recorded, her medical examination has been conducted and forensic evidence has been collected. He added that several teams are working to identify and arrest the accused, and that they will be arrested soon.

The incident triggered political reactions, with the Leader of the Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Umang Singhar, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and strict legal action against them.

Singhar said the incident was extremely shameful and condemnable, and demanded that all the accused be arrested immediately and that the strictest legal action be taken against them.

He also called for a fair investigation and accountability, adding that if the victim does not get justice at the earliest, the Congress party will launch a democratic agitation from the streets to the legislature.

Police said further investigation into the case is underway.

–IANS

pd/dan