Agencies | Jhansi:
A 19-year-old woman died in Jhansi after allegedly consuming rat poison following a reported gang rape by six youths, including three minors. Her family has alleged that the accused recorded the assault and threatened to circulate the video if she disclosed the incident.
The incident was reported from Indi village in the Gursarai area of Jhansi. According to a complaint filed by the woman’s father, she had allegedly been harassed by the accused since Sunday. The family claimed that they had raised the matter with the youths’ families, but the alleged harassment continued.
On Monday afternoon, the woman reportedly went to a cattle shed for some work when the six youths allegedly intercepted and sexually assaulted her. Her family further alleged that the accused filmed the incident and threatened to make the footage public.
A family member said the woman allegedly consumed rat poison after becoming distressed over the alleged threats. She was taken to a private hospital in Gursarai around noon and was discharged after her condition appeared to improve.
Her health deteriorated later during the night. She was subsequently taken to a community health centre, where doctors declared her dead after she was brought in at around 4 am on Tuesday.
Jhansi SSP Vikas Kumar said five of the six accused had been arrested, while one remained absconding. Police identified the accused as Sushil, Ajay, Gullu, Chhotu, Krishna and another person, while their exact ages were being verified.
A case has been registered under Section 70 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with gang rape.
Police said a preliminary inquiry found that Sushil had known the woman for some time and had been in contact with her. Investigators are examining the allegations of sexual assault, the alleged threats and the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports concerning the woman’s death and the alleged gang rape. The commission has sought a detailed report from the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police, Jhansi.
The NHRC has also sought details of the investigation and information on any compensation provided to the deceased woman’s family. The commission said the reported circumstances, if established, raise serious human rights concerns.
The investigation into the alleged sexual assault, the reported threats and the circumstances leading to the woman’s death is continuing.
