A minor rape victim’s father was found dead in his house in Jalaun district.
Though the police said no suicide note was found, the man’s family alleged that he ended his life due to inaction of the local police in connection with the rape of his minor daughter. The local police were allegedly exerting pressure on the family to make a compromise with the accused.
The deceased man’s wife told reporters that the police were initially not ready to listen to their grievances and register the FIR. She alleged that even after registering the FIR, they started pressuring the victim and her father to change the statement. She also alleged that the local police station in-charge threatened her husband of booking him in false cases if he did not follow the police directions.
Jalaun’s Superintendent of Police Iraj Raza said the additional superintendent of police had been directed to conduct an inquiry into the death, and action would be taken based on the report.
According to the police, last Sunday, an FIR was lodged against three people – a couple and the 22-year-old prime accused – on charges of rape and criminal intimidation. The police also booked the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The 17-year-old rape victim’s parents worked as labourers in Punjab and she stayed with her grandmother at her ancestral house in Jalaun.
In his complaint to police, the father of the victim alleged that Devendra Ahirwar of Dhurat along with his friend Golu, invited his daughter to a birthday party on March 28. He alleged that his daughter was raped at the function. He also said the accused’s family friend and his wife threatened the victim of dire consequences if she told someone about the sexual assault.
When the victim’s parents returned home to Jalaun on May 30, she told them about the rape. The family alleged that though they approached the local police station the next day, they were turned back. However, on the intervention of senior police officials, the local police registered the FIR.