Ujjain : In a heart-wrenching incident, a 12-year-old rape survivor in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh , found herself in a desperate situation, seeking help after a horrifying assault. The incident unfolded on a quiet Monday morning when the young girl, who cannot be named for her safety, was discovered in a state of distress by a vigilant priest, Rahul Sharma , associated with an ashram on Badnagar road , just 15 kilometers from Ujjain city.
Around 9:30 am, as Rahul Sharma was leaving the ashram for some errands, he spotted the girl near the gates. She was bleeding and partially clothed, with swollen eyes, unable to speak coherently. Mr. Sharma acted swiftly, offering her his own clothes and immediately dialing 100 for police assistance.
However, when he couldn't reach the police on the emergency helpline, he contacted the Mahakal police station to apprise them of the situation. Thankfully, police arrived at the ashram within 20 minutes.
Shocking CCTV footage revealed the girl's harrowing journey as she went from door to door, seeking help, but tragically received none. She was even shooed away by one man before finally finding refuge at the ashram.
Mr. Sharma, the compassionate priest, recounted his interactions with the traumatized girl. Despite her fear and inability to communicate clearly, they tried to comfort her, asking her name and inquiring about her family. They assured her of her safety and requested contact details for her family. The girl, however, remained too frightened to provide any information.
While awaiting the arrival of the police, the girl displayed a remarkable trust in Mr. Sharma, seeking refuge behind him whenever someone else approached her. Eventually, the police arrived and took the girl into their care.
The priest mentioned that the girl made references to a place during their conversation, but the location remained unclear to them.
In response to this horrific incident, the Ujjain police have formed a Special Investigation Team to conduct a thorough inquiry. A case of rape has been registered, invoking the stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
State Home Minister Narottam Mishra has since reported that the girl's condition has stabilized, offering a glimmer of hope amidst this tragic ordeal.
The ordeal faced by this young girl, who desperately sought help but was met with indifference, has ignited widespread outrage. Authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice, with forensic tests and investigations underway to identify and prosecute those responsible.
In the face of this tragedy, voices demanding justice for the victim are growing louder, while the state government faces scrutiny over its ability to protect the safety and well-being of its young citizens.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)