A shocking gang rape case involving two youth leaders associated with the National Students Union of India (NSUI) has sent shockwaves through Chhattisgarh. The accused individuals, Saddam Khan and Imtiaz Ali, have been on the run since the case was registered, triggering outrage and protests led by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers.
The incident unfolded in the jurisdiction of the Bagicha police station in Jashpur district. The victim, a 26-year-old teacher (some reports suggest she is 19 years old) employed at a private school, became acquainted with the accused through Facebook. On September 4, 2023, the accused lured her to visit the Danagari Waterfall in Jashpur district, where the horrifying incident took place.
According to media reports, the victim, originally from Manoharpur, accepted friend requests on social media from two individuals named Saddam and Imtiaz a few days prior. Subsequently, the two began communicating with her, even sharing contact numbers. During their conversations, Saddam and Imtiaz offered to take the victim to see the waterfall.
On the fateful day, September 4, the victim arrived at Danagari Waterfall, where she encountered Saddam, aged 25, and Imtiaz alias Sonu Ali, aged 28. Both accused individuals hail from the Kusumi area of Balrampur district. After initially exploring the waterfall together, the trio moved to a secluded area characterized by wild bushes. It was at this point that Saddam and Imtiaz’s intentions took a sinister turn. They began molesting the victim, who bravely protested their actions. In response, the accused subjected her to physical assault and proceeded to rape her one by one.
In her complaint, the victim revealed that the accused had even threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident. Despite the grave threats, the victim courageously confided in her family members, leading to a formal complaint being lodged at the Pandrapat police station. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the Bagicha police station for further investigation, with charges filed under sections 376, 506, 323, 294, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Although the police swiftly conducted raids on the accused’s residences, Saddam Khan and Imtiaz Ali had already absconded. Akhilesh Singh, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Bagicha, stated that dedicated teams have been formed to locate and apprehend the accused, ensuring their prompt arrest.
The involvement of Saddam Khan, a former Youth Congress secretary and social media coordinator, has stirred controversy. Several images of Saddam with Congress leader and Jashpur MLA Vinay Bhagat have surfaced online. In response to the incident, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded clarification from Vinay Bhagat. Protests condemning the incident and demanding justice have taken place, with ABVP activists burning an effigy of Chhattisgarh Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu in Surguja on September 10, 2023 (Sunday).
