The brutality took place at this place near Dostpur village. Jagran Archives
Sushil Kumar Mishra, Jagran, Meerut. Deserted highway road in Bulandshahr in the dark of night on 29 July 2016. Iron rods lying there. As soon as the speed of the car slowed down, eight-ten armed miscreants stood in front. They terrorized the family and made them come out of the car and then the gruesome incident begins.
Gang rape of mother and daughter, taking the men of the family hostage and looting, this was not just a crime, but was a mirror of the law and order situation of the ruling SP government in the state, which the entire country saw. After nine years, four months and 21 days, the POCSO court convicted the five accused, but the question still remains whether justice has been served? The men of the family are tied with ropes and dragged to the fields near Dostpur village on the Ghaziabad-Aligarh highway. The miscreants take turns to rape the mother and minor daughter. After this, all their cash and jewelery is looted. The family reaches the police station, but the initial response is very slow.
This was the moment when it was seen how the law and order system was working under the then government. Next day, when this news was published prominently in Dainik Jagran across the state, Akhilesh Yadav government lost its sleep. The Chief Minister gave an ultimatum of 24 hours. DGP Javid Ahmed and Chief Secretary Home Devashish Panda reached Bulandshahr. By evening, the guilty policemen including SSP Vaibhav Krishna, AC City Ram Mohan, CO Himanshu Gaurav were suspended. DGP admitted that an incident of gang rape took place between mother and daughter.
350 officers and policemen in 15 teams were engaged in the investigation.
A huge team of officers was formed from Lucknow to Meerut. 350 officers and policemen in 15 teams were involved in the investigation. Despite this, questions kept being raised on the working style of the police from the High Court to the National Commission for Women. After this the case had to be handed over to CBI. CBI presented charge sheet against eight out of 11 accused. Two were killed in the encounter, three got clean chit.
Also read- UP News: Five convicted in the case of gang rape of mother and daughter on the highway, the brutal incident took place in the year 2016.
Trial started on the remaining five. 25 witnesses appeared. The direct testimony of the victim mother and daughter, medical reports, forensic evidence, all proved strong in the court. On this basis, the special POCSO court found the accused guilty. After the court's decision, the victim's family, while talking to the Special Public Prosecutor, shared their pain and said that the culprits should definitely get death sentence.
There was a political uproar
There was a political uproar after the incident came to light. From BSP chief Mayawati to Congress and BJP, the state government was put in the dock. The incident continued trending on social media for several days. This incident became a symbol of jungle raj in the state. The law and order situation of the state was exposed on the national stage. Questions were being raised that if such a horrific incident could happen on the highway, then what would be the condition of the remote areas. The slogan of 'most unsafe state for women' was being raised in political protests and rallies from Delhi to Lucknow.
Damage control had started
Akhilesh government immediately started damage control. A compensation of Rs 10 lakh each was announced for the victim mother and daughter. Two flats were also given in Arthala, Ghaziabad. The family was also given security but the family kept shouting that we need more justice than this. Kept raising questions whether our lives would ever be as normal as before.
Now there is hustle and bustle near the spot
Marriage home and market have opened near the spot. Due to this now there is hustle and bustle here. Police patrolling is also done along with dial 112 vehicles which are stationed at night. There is an environment of security. However, people living nearby still get scared when they remember the incident.