In the city of Barnala in the Punjab, humanity is once againashamed. A 22-year-old girl was held hostage for eight months and raped. Policehave registered a case against seven people, including two women, on the basisof the victim's statement. One of them is said to be a political leader.
The statement was recorded by a magistrate after the girlwas admitted to a government hospital in Barnala for medical treatment. Thevictim girl and her family are demanding strict action against the accused. Thevictim and her family members said she left home in June 2020 to have photocopydone of some document.
Meanwhile, a woman living in her rented house took him toher mother-in-law's house. There were 20 to 25 people present. In that gathering,the woman was given drugs mixed in a soft drink. After which his body becamenumb.
She was later raped by several others. They then took her tothe village of Pandher in Barnala, where she was held captive. Police officersalso used to visit her there and they kept threatening to kill her.
All this while, the young woman was kept unconscious with injections.
She was then taken to Bathinda. She was sold for Rs 3 lakh.She somehow, with extreme hardships, managed to escape.
She now demands justice in the case and exemplary actionagainst the culprits.
In this regard, the DSP of Barnala, Lakhveer Singh Tiwanasaid that regarding this, a case was registered on July 10, 2020 on thestatement of the victim's mother. The victim's mother had accused the tenantwoman of kidnapping her daughter. After which the tenant woman was arrested.
During the ensuing investigation, on July 28, 2020, the girlhad filed a statement with the Hon'ble Magistrate stating that she was an adultand wanted to get married of her own free will. After which the proceedings ofthe case came to a halt.
However, on February 23, police was intimated by the governmenthospital and a case of rape was registered. The entire matter was referred tothe SSP, Barnala. After which the victim's statement was given to the Hon'bleMagistrate.
In these statements, the girl has made allegations that shewas forced into marriage and raped. At the same time, 3 police officers werecharged with intimidation. After which a total of 7 persons including 2 womenwere booked in the case under various sections. In addition, 3 police personnelhave been suspended. DSP Barnala said the matter was being seriouslyinvestigated and action would be taken accordingly.