A shocking incident of a woman being raped in broad daylight on a public footpath in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district has sent waves of outrage across the country and sparked a political slugfest between the Congress and the ruling BJP. The crime, committed on September 4, was filmed by passersby and circulated widely on social media platforms. Local police swiftly arrested the accused, identified as Lokesh, following the victim’s complaint.
Swift Police Action
City Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Mishra reported that the incident came to light when the survivor approached the Kotwali police station around 3:30 pm on September 4. A female officer recorded her statement, and an FIR was promptly lodged.
“The woman identified the accused as Lokesh in her statement,” Mishra said. A special police team was immediately formed and dispatched to apprehend the suspect. Lokesh was arrested within two hours of the FIR being registered.
Upon interrogation, Lokesh confessed to the crime. The victim was medically examined, and Lokesh was presented before the court on Thursday, September 5. Following the court’s order, he was sent to Bherugarh jail.
Viral Video as Evidence
Mishra confirmed the existence of a video capturing the horrific incident, which has since gone viral on social media. The police have taken the video as evidence in their investigation.
Political Storm
The gruesome incident has ignited a political firestorm, with Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari questioning the silence of prominent political figures, including Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
“A woman was raped in the Chief Minister’s own constituency. Why are Mohan Yadav, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and even PM Modi silent? There is ‘Jungle Raaj’ in Madhya Pradesh, and no one is safe,” Patwari stated, demanding accountability from the BJP-led state government.
BJP’s Response
Madhya Pradesh BJP chief and MP VD Sharma countered the Congress’ allegations, emphasizing the swift arrest of the accused and assuring strict action against the perpetrator. He accused the Congress of politicizing the issue, stating, “The Congress party has no real issues to corner the Madhya Pradesh government, so they are trying to create controversy. Our government has introduced strict laws, including the death penalty, for such heinous crimes.”
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari also weighed in on the debate, expressing concern over the increasing number of crimes against women in BJP-ruled states. “The nation is feeling ashamed. The honor of women is being shredded, and BJP-led state governments are silent,” Tiwari remarked.
Women’s Safety in Spotlight
The horrifying incident has once again brought the critical issue of women’s safety to the forefront. While the police have acted promptly in arresting the accused, the political crossfire underscores the broader concerns surrounding governance and public safety in the region.
As the investigation progresses and the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on delivering justice to the victim and addressing the underlying societal issues that contribute to such crimes.
Leave a Reply