House Of Accused Rapist Near Ujjain To Be Demolished After Teen's Assault
In Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain, the house of Bharat Soni, who stands accused of raping a teenage girl, is set to be demolished due to alleged illegal construction. Bharat Soni, an auto-rickshaw driver, was arrested last Thursday in connection with the case. The Ujjain Municipal Corporation has stated that Bharat’s family has been residing on government land for an extended period.
Government Land: No Notice Needed for Demolition
Municipal Commissioner Roshan Singh clarified that since the land in question belongs to the government, there is no requirement for prior notice to proceed with the demolition. The municipal body is poised to take action in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh police.
Intensive Investigation Leads to Arrest
Bharat’s apprehension followed an extensive investigation that included the review of footage from nearly 700 CCTV cameras. Senior police officer Ajay Verma disclosed that approximately 30-35 individuals were involved in the investigation, with many working tirelessly for several consecutive days.
Shockwaves Across the Nation
The shocking incident came to light on September 26 when videos depicting a 15-year-old girl, disheveled, bleeding, and desperately seeking help, went viral on social media. A CCTV camera captured her harrowing journey on Badnagar Road, about 15 km from Ujjain, as she approached people for assistance. The disturbing footage depicted individuals shooing her away one after another.
Rescue and Medical Examination
Ultimately, her plight reached an ashram not far from her location. A priest at the ashram, sensing that she had been sexually assaulted, provided her with a towel and rushed her to a nearby hospital. Medical examination confirmed her fears: she had been raped, and her injuries were severe, prompting her transfer to Indore for specialized medical care. Police officers even volunteered to donate blood when the need arose.
Arrest and Attempted Escape
Bharat, the accused, was arrested three days after the incident. During the reenactment of the crime scene to collect evidence, including torn clothing, Bharat attempted to flee but was promptly apprehended. The police stated that he fell on a cemented road, injuring his arms and legs during the attempt.
Calls for Stringent Punishment
Bharat’s father has publicly called for the death penalty for his son, while the local bar association has urged its members to decline representing him in court, expressing their disapproval of his actions.
Political Response and Pressure on State Government
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, gearing up for assembly elections scheduled for November this year, has vowed to ensure the accused faces the full force of the law. This incident has further amplified pressure on the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led state government, which has faced criticism for its handling of violence against women.
Disturbing Statistics
According to National Crime Records Bureau data, Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of rape incidents in the country in 2021, with 6,462 cases. Additionally, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra recorded the highest number of cases involving the disappearance of women and girls between 2019 and 2021. Alarmingly, half of all reported rape cases were crimes against minors, as per NCRB data.
