Visuals from the site of protest against accused Faizan (Image Source: HT)
A disturbing incident of sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl has sparked outrage and communal tension in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The alleged assault, which took place when the girl was alone at home, involved a group of scrap dealers, with Faizan identified as the primary suspect now in police custody. The victim’s family has accused Faizan, along with others named Rehan, Rashid, and Wasim, of the crime, though the full extent of their involvement is under investigation.
Details of the Incident
On the fateful day, while the girl’s family was at work, the assailants reportedly entered the residence by scaling the back gate. The family alleges that the girl was not only physically assaulted but also gang-raped, rendering her unconscious during part of the ordeal. The mother of the victim lodged a complaint at the Link Road Police Station on the morning of August 29, initially naming one individual in the rape accusation.
Community Response and Legal Actions
The incident has led to significant community unrest with protests outside the Brijvihar police station. Demonstrators demanded immediate arrest and severe punishment for all involved, reflecting the community’s call for swift justice. The situation deteriorated with acts of vandalism targeting properties linked to the accused, including the setting ablaze of an e-rickshaw, highlighting the heightened communal tensions.
Police Investigation and Statements
Assistant Police Commissioner Rajneesh Upadhyay reported that on the morning of August 29, a complaint was filed by the mother of the victim at the Link Road Police Station, accusing a scrap dealer from a different community of assaulting and raping her daughter. Following the complaint, a case was registered, and the accused was promptly arrested.
“The protestors alleged that three more men were involved in the crime. The initial FIR is against one person. However, we have asked them to give us additional names, and their roles will also be investigated and established as per evidence,” said Dinesh Kumar P, Additional Commissioner of Police.
Tensions in The Region
Following the clashes, the Ghaziabad Police deployed about 200 security personnel in Brij Vihar, near Delhi’s Vivek Vihar border. Late in the evening, police officers were seen baton-charging the protesters in order to clear the roads.
“The electricity was off in the area. Around 6pm on Wednesday, three-four men entered the house from the back gate and raped her. They work as scrap dealers and are Muslims. We demand justice,” the girl’s aunt said during the protest.
This incident has also caught the attention of Hindu organisations, with leader Ashish Pal highlighting that the area around the accused’s shop was a known gathering spot for anti-social elements, suggesting a lack of police enforcement in the locality.
The police are currently investigating the possibility of gang rape as alleged, although initially, only one individual was named in the rape accusation by the family when they first reported the crime. The police are now delving deeper into these new allegations to ascertain the facts.
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