A 32-year-old mentally challenged woman was allegedly raped and impregnated by a 68-year-old watchman here.
Vijaya (name changed), a mentally challenged woman was under the care of her parents residing near Vayalur in the district.
It is said that both the parents used to be away from the house as they were working. The victim’s younger sister was married and had gone to her husband’s house and the mentally challenged woman used to stay in the house alone.
Mari (68) who is a watchman of a building under construction nearby used to come to the woman’s house. He will ask the woman to help him in getting water for house construction.
Sources said that the mentally challenged woman had been trying to convey to her mother that she was pregnant by touching her stomach and mumbling about a baby being inside.
However, her mother thought that Vijaya was referring to the baby of her younger sister. She had reportedly brought the child to show it to Vijaya.
Meanwhile, a few days ago, when Vijaya was bathing, her mother noticed that her stomach had a bulge. Thinking that Vijaya was suffering from some disaese, she immediately rushed her to a city doctor. After initial tests it was revealed that Vijaya was pregnant.
However, thinking that the reports were erroneous, Vijaya’s mother took her to the corporation health centre on August 31.
Tests there confirmed that Vijaya was five months pregnant. However, when she asked the doctors to carry out an abortion, the doctors refused that Vijaya’s pregnancy was in advanced state and an abortion might put the mother and baby’s lives at risk.
After intense questioning, Vijaya pointed towards Mari, giving her mother clues as to who could be responsible for the act.
On Tuesday, Vijaya’s mother lodged a complaint with the Woraiyur police stating that her daughter was raped and impregnated by Mari.
Based on her complaint, police registered a case and were investigating.