Jaipur/Pratapgarh, 02 September: There was a stir when a woman was paraded naked in a village under Dhariawad police station area of Pratapgarh district in Rajasthan. The woman’s husband made her run for a kilometer in front of the villagers.
This incident is of 31 August. The government swung into action when its video went viral on Friday.
Taking prompt action, the police arrested seven accused including the husband, while four have been detained, one of whom is a minor. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also reached Dhariyawad on Saturday afternoon after top police officers reached the spot and he talked about providing all kinds of help to the victim.
The State and National Commission for Women have also called for reports in the matter. Political uproar has also started regarding this matter. BJP national president JP Nadda has termed it as the result of weak law and order in Rajasthan, while the state president has also constituted a three-member organization-level inquiry committee.
Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar said that the woman was married a year and a half ago to the youth of the village. Six months after the marriage, the woman was abducted by a youth from the neighboring village of Oopala Kota. When the woman returned with the young man after a year on August 30, her in-laws forcibly brought her to their village Pahada. After this, the husband took off her clothes and paraded her naked in front of the villagers.
In the viral video, she is screaming and pleading to be left. During this time many people of the village are present, but no one stops him. The victim is six months pregnant. The woman lodged a complaint at Dhariyawad police station late on the night of September 1. After this FIR has been registered.
ADG Crime Dinesh MN said that on Friday the woman’s husband and three accused were arrested from the forest near their village. The remaining accused were arrested on Saturday. The victim is a woman and the accused are tribals.
Chief Minister met the victim woman, announced assistance of 10 lakhs and job
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot reached Dhariyavad in Pratapgarh. He met the victim woman and her family.
The Chief Minister said that these criminals will be given the strictest punishment by prosecuting them in the fast track court. Gehlot announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh and a government job to the victim woman.
The Chief Minister said that prevention of crimes against women is our topmost priority.
He said that as soon as the incident came to the notice, ADG Crime was directed to go to the spot and take strict action in this matter. As soon as the information about the incident was received, the high officials of the police had reached the spot and taking quick action, the police took all the accused into custody within a few hours.
The accused were caught within 12 hours-
Director General of Police Umesh Mishra said that after the video went viral on social media, police station Dhariawad registered a case under relevant sections of IPC, Women’s Indecent Control Act and IT Act and started investigation after naming the accused.
Seeing the seriousness of the matter, on the instructions of the Chief Minister, Additional Director General of Police Dinesh MN, Divisional Commissioner Dhariawad, IG Banswara Range S Parimala, Collector Indrajit Yadav, SP Amit Kumar reached the spot and inspected the spot.
After naming the accused, 30 teams were formed to arrest them. Within 12 hours, the police detained the main accused Kanha s/o Lalia, Nathu s/o Nagji Meena, Veniya s/o Bhera resident of Pahada Nichla Kota and a child molester and arrested seven accused Pintu s/o Bheria, Khetiya s/o Lembia Meena, Moti Lal s/o Rama Meena, Punia s/o Babaria Meena, Kesra s/o Maneng Meena, Suraj s/o Kesra and Netiya s/o Panchiya residents of Pahada Nichla Kota police station Dhariavad were arrested.
Five-member SIT formed
Director General of Police Umesh Mishra said that under the supervision of Additional Director General of Police Dinesh MN, Additional Superintendent of Police SIUCAW Pratapgarh Rishikesh Meena, CO Dhariawad Dhanphool Meena, CO Mavli Udaipur Kailash Kunwar, SHO Dhariawad Peshawar Khan and Lady Constable Cyber Police Station Pratapgarh Pooja have been constituted by a five-member SIT.
The Director General of Police said that the SIT constituted under the supervision of IG Banswara Range and SP Pratapgarh will investigate all aspects of the incident and hand over the report to the State Government and Police Headquarters and after collecting evidence technically and scientifically, will dispose of the case in a time-bound manner.
National and State Women Commission took cognizance
The National Women’s Commission and the State Women’s Commission have taken cognizance in the matter. The commission has given instructions to take strict action against the culprits in this whole matter and present the report before the commission.
National Commission for Women Chairperson Rekha Sharma has asked the Director General of Police to submit the report in five days. Rajasthan State Women’s Commission President Rehan Riaz is reaching Pratapgarh along with other members.
BJP President Nadda raised questions on the state government
BJP national president JP Nadda attacked the Congress government hard before coming to Rajasthan. He wrote on X that the video of Pratapgarh is shocking, there is complete absence of governance in Rajasthan. Chief Minister and Minister Busy settling factional feuds, the rest of the time is being spent appeasing a dynasty in Delhi. It is no surprise that the issue of women safety is being completely ignored in the state. Every day some or the other incident of harassment against women comes to the fore. The people of Rajasthan will teach a lesson to the state government.
Regarding this matter, BJP State President CP Joshi has formed a three-member committee, which will reach the spot and present the report. State General Secretary and MP Diyakumari, State Minister Krishna Katara and Sojat MLA Shobha Chauhan have been included in the committee. Local MLA Nagraj Meena said that whatever is condemned for this incident will be less.
Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has condemned the incident. Also appealed to people not to share or post this video. Deputy Leader of Opposition Satish Poonia has also questioned Chief Minister Gehlot on law and order.
