Even as people reveled in collective triumph as the four accused in the Delhi gang rape and murder case were convicted by the court, Maharashtra was rocked by reports of another gang rape and this time a minor school girl.
Jalkot Taluka in Latur district woke up to the shameful act by yesterday when the school girl confided in her family about the week old incident.
Latur police officials said that on September 4, the girl was going to her school at around 10 am in the morning when 19 year old Janoba Vajire along with the three accused kidnapped the girl and took her to a neighbouring fields and sexually assaulted her. Three out of four accused involved in the crime are minors and are students of the girl’s class.
Police officials said that the accused tied the girl’s hands and also put a handkerchief in her mouth to prevent her from shouting for help. After the sexual assault, the accused threatened the victim that if she informed about the incident to anyone then the accused would immolate her.
The girl was so traumatized by the incident that she did not confide to anyone about the incident. However a few days when her family members and others noticed how the girl had become withdrawn, they approached her and after much coaxing the girl narrated what happened to her. The girl was then encouraged to approach the police and on Monday a FIR was lodged.
The police have arrested all four accused in the case who have confessed to their involvement in the crime. They were produced in a local court where they have been remanded to seven days police custody, Police Inspector Baburao Panputte claimed that they are verifying the claims of the accused that they are minors. He however said that at least two of the accused were of 18 years and more. Incidentally, one of the accused in the gang rape of a 22 years old photojournalist and 19 year woman at the Shakti Mills is also a minor.