Politicians, media flock to Bulandshahr rape victims’ home

The home of the mother and daughter duo in Ghaziabad’s Khoda area was flooded with politicians and mediapersons on Wednesday

The accommodation of the mother and daughter duo, who were allegedly raped by highway robbers at Bulandshahr on July 30, in Khoda colony of Ghaziabad was flooded with politicians and media personnel on Wednesday.

BSP MLA Amar Pal Sharma (centre) assured financial help for the girl victim’s education. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

Neighbours of the victims were suspicious of the media persons and asked the media not to disturb their privacy.

The building where the victims have lodged reeks of sewerage smell due to shared bathrooms in the building and heaps of garbage were lying every few steps.

Around 2pm, relatives of the victims allowed the media to enter their one-room accommodation, one by one, for interviews.

The 35-year-old victim said, “All I want is justice. I want to punish the attackers with my own hands. I don’t trust politicians. They are promising many things but they don’t have any accountability. I want them to safeguard the future of my child.”

“The police is at fault, as is the government. I want them to understand the situation and provide safety to women so that such incidents do not occur henceforth. The culprits should be hanged till death and the government should allow me to hang them with my own hands,” she told HT.

She said she does not want to recall the incident and appreciated the media for its support.

“The police officials had promised to nab the culprits. Now, it has been three days since the incident took place and only three persons are behind bars. The police should arrest (all of) them as soon as possible. It all happened because the media stood by our side,” she said.

A couple of plainclothes police personnel were also stationed in front of the residence. One of them initially resisting the interview attempt.

On the night of July 30, the victims were forcibly stopped at Bulandshahr while they were on the way to Shahjahanpur.

The robbers allegedly raped the 35-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter in the nearby fields and fled with their valuables. Three of the accused have been arrested so far.

Apart from half a dozen local leaders of Samajwadi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress, local Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Amar Pal Sharma also visited the victims’ family on Wednesday and assured financial help for the girl’s education.

“The girl says she doesn’t want to go to school. Such horrific incidents leave a scar for a lifetime. We have assured the family of all possible help towards her education,” Sharma said.

He also slammed Samajwadi Party leader and state Cabinet minister, Azam Khan, over his controversial comment suspecting the role of the opposition parties in the incident.

“His comment shows how apathetic the government can be. It seems like he is supporting the accused persons,” Sharma said.