Gangrape victim approaches NCW

The girl, when still a minor, was allegedly sexually assaulted and then sold off by a village Pradhan and his associates

Finally she can see a ray of hope. After MiD DAY reported her plight, 18-year-old Puja (name changed) yesterday met officials of the National Commission for Women (NCW) in the Capital and narrated the horrific story of the past seven months of her life.


Seeking justice: Puja,  with a social worker Kalpna, at the office of
National Commission for Women, in New Delhi on Thursday. Pic/Rajeev Tyagi
The victim, a resident of Assyai village of Etawah district in Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly kidnapped by three men from her neighbouring village Doraiya. She was held captive for three days and the village Pradhan of Doraiya allegedly raped her along with his aides. After that she was sold twice and her nightmare continued till a case was registered and the matter reached the courts. But Puja still awaits justice and the alleged culprits are threatening her family.

Puja escaped and took shelter at her uncle's home in Delhi after she was produced in the district court of Etah by the accused. The victim has alleged that the village Pradhan Sanjeev Mishra alias Sanju kidnapped her on August 14 last year and raped her for three days along with three associates. They later sold her to person named Raju for 70,000 rupees who kept her for a few days and then sold her to a person named Ravi Yadav in 25,000 rupees. The victim is now six months pregnant.

Puja has now been assured of justice by officers of National Commission for Women (NCW). "We will investigate the case as soon as possible and if we found any foul play in the role of the cops we will definitely take action," confirmed an officer of NCW.

Neighbour abuses minor
A minor girl was raped allegedly by her 48-year-old neighbour in south Delhi, police said. The incident was reported from Neb Sarai on Sunday night and the accused Rishipal was arrested. According to police, the girl, a Class IV student, was sexually assaulted by Rishipal when she was alone in the house as her parents had gone to attend a wedding. "The girl's parents had gone for a wedding leaving their two daughters at home. The elder sister went out to buy some articles from a grocery shop when the accused raped the minor girl," a senior police official said. The incident came to light when the victim told her mother about the assault. Police was informed and a medical examination confirmed rape. A case was registered and Rishipal, who was on the run, was arrested, the official said. The girl's family has been living as tenants in the house of Rishipal's elder brother for the past four years.