Sonepat shame: Minor Dalit gangraped, sister sexually harassed

A minor Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped while her sister was sexually harassed in Sonepat by three men, including their distant cousin, on Tuesday.

A 15-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly gangraped while her 16-year-old sister was sexually harassed in Baroda Mor village in Sonepat’s Gohana tehsil by their distant cousin and two other men on Tuesday. Police said the victims were students of Class 9 and 10.

A minor Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped while her sister was sexually harassed in Sonepat by three men, including their distant cousin, on Tuesday.(HT Representative Image)

Gohana is infamous for castebased violence. The state is witnessing regular protests over increasing atrocities against Dalits. In July, a Dalit girl was gangraped in Rohtak, triggering protests.

Baroda police station incharge inspector Rajpal said three persons have been booked but refused to share the details. “We have registered a case and are waiting for the medical report,” he said.

Sonepat superintendent of police HS Doon and Rohtak range inspector general of polcie Sanjay Kumar remained unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts.

Talking to Hindustan Times, victims’ father accused the SHO of delaying the registration of FIR. “I’ve been at the police station since morning, but the FIR was registered late at night,” he said.

The FIR copy accessed by HT revealed that the three accused Ajay, Balram and Pradeep have been booked under sections 376 (rape), 354A (sexual harassment) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences and SC/ST Act. Victims’ father said Ajay is their distant relative while Balram and Pradeep were from his village.