‘My kids never did anything wrong’

“Their lives have been destroyed, sir. What do I do, where do I take them? What will become of my three children now, sir? They never did anything wrong,” pleaded a shattered 32-year-old Rajkumari (name changed) to the magistrate, as she struggled to hide her children beneath her torn, white dupatta.

“Their lives have been destroyed, sir. What do I do, where do I take them? What will become of my three children now, sir? They never did anything wrong,” pleaded a shattered 32-year-old Rajkumari (name changed) to the magistrate, as she struggled to hide her children beneath her torn, white dupatta.

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“Justice will be done to you and your children, please don’t be afraid. Just cooperate with us,” said Metropolitan Magistrate Ajay Garg to Rajkumari.

Her seven and 10-year-old sons kept their eyes fixed on the wooden enclosure in front, afraid their eyes would meet those of their 38-year-old tormentor, standing at the far end of the chamber -- hiding his face with the palm of his right hand.

The boys’ 12-year-old sister stood absolutely silent, her head bowed and torso covered. Only the black pockmarks on her emaciated arms indicating the painful, incessant drugging betrayed her identity.

Drugged and exploited for 18 months, police sources said the 12-year-old had already been gangraped thrice in July -- by Lalit Ratawal and four of his 15-year-old friends, who are class IX students.

“Two of the accused juveniles have been detained and we are on the trail of the others,” said Jaspal Singh, DCP (central).