Cops pressing me to marry rapist: Victim

Vijaysinh Parmar, TNN Aug 24, 2013, 04.32AM IST

RAJKOT: A shocking case of police insensitivity in dealing with rape victim, a minor, has come to light in a village of Amreli district.

Parents of the 17-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped last month, has accused the local police of traumatizing her. What is most shocking is their allegation about police pressurizing the girl to get married to the accused, notwithstanding the fact that she is minor.

The dalit girl, a native of Hirana village in Lathi taluka, was allegedly taken to Ahmedabad by accused Rahul who raped and then abandoned her near Dhasa village on July 20. Cops are yet to trace Rahul and two other persons who had aided him in the crime.

“Instead of coming to our house to record her statement, police are repeatedly calling us to Lathi police station, which is 20 km away from our village. She is forced to sit at the police station for four to five hours,” her father told TOI over phone.

When TOI talked with the girl, she said, “Policemen even hurl expletives at me when I am called at the police station and they are asking me to marry the accused.”

The girl’s parents, who are daily-wage earners, finally approached Navsarjan Trust, a voluntary organization working for dalit rights.

Amreli superintendent of police Gautam Parmar told TOI, “This is a serious matter and I am personally going to Lathi police station to look into the case. If required, strict action will be taken against the guilty cops.”

Kantilal Parmar, an activist associated with Navsarjan, said, “The police have still not traced the accused. Instead of showing compassion to the victim, she is being made to sit for hours at the police station.”

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