Ujjain police chief Sachin Sharma said when police found the minor girl, she had Rs 120 cash in hand as people had given her Rs 50 to Rs 100 when she was going from door to door asking for help
The police chief of Ujjain said local residents offered “as much help as possible” to the 12-year-old rape survivor, who was found roaming the streets in a semi-naked and visibly injured condition on September 25. He said when police found her, she had Rs 120 in hand as people had given her Rs 50 to Rs 100 when she was going from door to door asking for help.
Shocking visuals from CCTV footage show the girl, with blood dripping down her legs, asking for help but being turned away by people. In fact, a man standing at his door is seen shooing her away. But, police chief Sachin Sharma disagreed with the reports and said people did help her with money but may have had “reservations” on seeing her condition.
According to a report published by NDTV, the police chief said: “There were mixed responses. People in the localities she passed through had helped her. Some gave her Rs 50, others gave Rs 100. She crossed a toll booth on the way. The staff there gave her money and some clothes. At least 7-8 people tried to help.”
The minor was finally rescued by a priest — Rahul Sharma — at an ashram, who gave her his own clothes and some food to eat. He found the girl at the ashram’s gate and immediately called the Mahakal police station, following which cops rushed to the spot in 20 minutes and took her to the hospital for a medical examination where rape was confirmed. The priest said when he found her she was trembling and completely incoherent.
When it was pointed out that the girl needed urgent medical attention rather than cash, the police chief said people may have had reservations but helped her financially.
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He further said local residents told police that the girl did not specifically ask for help but kept saying she was being followed.
“In the statements we have recorded, people have said she was repeatedly saying, ‘I am in danger, someone is behind me’. So she was not stable, people responded accordingly,” the cop told NDTV.
AUTORICKSHAW DRIVER HELD IN RAPE CASE
An autorickshaw driver has been arrested for allegedly raping the minor girl. The accused was brought to the civil hospital in Ujjain after he suffered injuries during his bid to escape the police.
Police had detained and questioned the man on Wednesday (September 27) as well.
WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE WHO DID NOT HELP A 12-YR-OLD GIRL, ASKS DCW CHIEF
Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal questioned the nature of the people who refused to help a 12-year-old in need and whether action should be taken against them. “A 12-year-old girl was raped in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh… MP police should arrest the accused immediately… Who are these people who did not help a small 12-year-old girl in a bleeding and naked state? Should action not be taken against such people? What kind of nation are we making? There should be action against such people as well…” she said.
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Maliwal said the case should be fast-tracked. “How will our girls be saved… how will they study if such incidents keep happening every other day… I would appeal for strict action and the immediate arrest of the accused…” she added.