M A I N   N E W S

Accused throws acid on rape victim
Kulwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Moga, October 14
A Dalit of nearby Ghal Kalan village, who had allegedly become a victim of rape and police high-handedness early this year, was allegedly attacked with acid by one of the accused and his associates last night.

She was admitted to the district hospital with burns on her abdomin and legs. However, her condition was stated to be out of danger.

The police had recorded her statement and registered an FIR under Sections 326 and 34, IPC, against Soni, son of Kirpal Singh, who had allegedly raped her, and two of his associates Nita and Jita. They are all residents of the woman’s native village.

While talking to The Tribune, the victim revealed that when she came out of her house to visit a doctor for some treatment late last evening, three motorcycle-borne youths threw acid on her and sped away. “I have identified all of them”, she said.

Earlier, the woman had removed her clothes in May in a public place to get an FIR registered against two suspects.

She had accused the police of protecting the alleged rapists. The police had registered a criminal case against Shinder Singh and Soni under Sections 376, 324 and 120-B, IPC, and the Dalit Atrocities Act after her protest. District magistrate of Moga Satwant Singh Johal had indicted the then SHO of the sadar police station of unnecessary delay in registering the FIR and the arrest of the culprits.

The woman alleged that both alleged rapists got bails with the help of the local police. “I am sorry to say that the police is still biased and has so far not given any security to my family despite the intervention of the state human rights commission”, she added.

Meanwhile, investigating officer ASI Jaswant Singh told The Tribune on the phone that no one had so far been arrested for the acid attack on the woman. He said the victim would have to produce witnesses in her favour.

Admn ignores rights panel guidelines

The union ministry of home affairs on the request of the National Commission for Women vide orders of the Supreme Court in writ petition No.362/93 has on May 7 this year had issued a notification to constitute a district-level board headed by the district magistrate to provide relief and rehabilitation to the victims of rape. However, the district administration of Moga has so far not constituted any such board. Under the scheme, “having been prima facie satisfied that a case of rape has been made out, the board shall order an interim financial relief of Rs 20, 000 to the victim”.