Just a week after the brutal rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad, a rape survivor in Uttar Pradeshs Unnao was set ablaze allegedly by the man who is accused of raping her, along with four others.
All five men, including accused Shivam Trivedi, who was out on bail have been arrested by the police.
Reportedly, the incident took place at 4 am on December 4, 2019, when the survivor was going to Raebareli with her parents to pursue the rape case which occurred in March.
"The survivor who is 23 years old has sustained 90 per cent burns. I have suggested that the girl be shifted to Safdarjung hospital Delhi for better treatment. But there is no government nod on it as of now," said D.S. Negi chief medical officer of Civil Hospital in Lucknow, where the survivor is being treated.
"The survivor is in a restless state due to pain. The next 48-72 hours are critical for her survival. She is in a state of shock as of now," said plastic surgeon Dr. Pradeep Tiwari.
DGP O.P. Singh said, "The case was transferred to Raebareli following court orders a few months ago. We have recorded the statement of the survivor. Unnao DM and SP are supervising police action. Cops are scanning call details of all the accused.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath taking cognizance of the incident has promised strict action against the accused and said that the treatment of the survivor will be carried out on government expenses.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken suo-motu cognizance of the case and written to Uttar Pradesh DGP asking him to take action at the earliest.
Shockingly, a similar incident occurred on the same day in Buxar, Bihar where a half-burnt body of a girl was discovered early morning yesterday. The girl was allegedly shot at a point blank range after being gang raped.
After the 2012 Nirbhaya case, these incidents have ones again brought to the fore the debate on women safety in India and how it can be fixed? And this time succumbing to societal pressures of staying indoors is not the solution.
