Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh – In a harrowing incident that underscores the pressing issue of women’s safety in India, a 12-year-old girl, partially clothed and bleeding after a rape, desperately sought help from residents in a neighborhood near Badnagar road, approximately 15 km from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Shockingly, bystanders ignored her pleas for assistance, with one individual even shooing her away.
This distressing scene, captured by a CCTV camera, serves as a grim reflection of a society where violence against women and minors has sadly become alarmingly commonplace.
The traumatized girl, her meager clothing barely covering her, eventually found her way to an ashram. There, a compassionate priest recognized signs of sexual violence, promptly covering her with a towel and rushing her to the district hospital. A subsequent medical examination confirmed the horrific crime of rape.
Given the seriousness of her injuries, the young victim was swiftly transferred to Indore. During her treatment, police personnel generously stepped forward to donate blood. Her current condition is reported to be stable.
When questioned by a senior police officer about her identity and residence, the girl struggled to provide coherent answers.
A case of rape against unidentified culprits has been registered, and the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been invoked.
Sachin Sharma, Ujjain’s police chief, has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to swiftly identify and apprehend the perpetrators. He appealed to the public to come forward with any relevant information.
Regarding the exact location of the crime, the officer stated that it is currently under investigation, and more details would be forthcoming. He also noted, “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 horrifying incident once again spotlights the dismal record of Madhya Pradesh when it comes to violence against women. Both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have reported the highest number of cases of women and girls disappearing between 2019 and 2021. In 2021, Madhya Pradesh also reported the highest number of rapes in the country, with 6,462 cases, more than 50% of which involved minors. This translates to an alarming 18 rape cases per day.
