“The shouts of bachao bachao haunt me till date, as does the sight that greeted me — the naked and injured victims crying for help on a cold December night. The verdict gives me a sense of closure. I believe nothing less than death for the monsters who left them like that would bring her peace”
These were the words of Rajkumar Singh, one of the first persons to spot Nirbhaya and her friend on that night, after the Supreme Court verdict on Friday. Working as security guard for a toll collection company, he went towards the cries for help and was greeted by a horrific and unforgettable sight.
“I was patrolling the stretch of NH-8 from Mahipalpur to Vasant Vihar on a motorcycle when I spotted them. He was sitting while Nirbhaya was screaming in pain. I called up the police immediately, but they didn’t come. I took off my clothes and gave them to the victims. I crossed the road, and got a bed sheet and water bottle. I tore the bed sheet in half to cover both of them. I made another PCR call. The police turned up this time and took them to the hospital,” said Mr. Singh.
Mr. Singh had deposed during the trial at Saket court, where the defence repeatedly questioned his version on flimsy grounds, including whether he was employed where he claimed to be and how could he say that [deceased accused] Ram Singh and the others were the perpetrators.
‘Truth triumphed’
“I never made any claims about who did it. All I described was the state I found them in. The assault was undeniable and that’s what I maintained all through. And the truth did triumph, as the outcome today [on Friday] proved,” said Mr. Singh.
The ex-serviceman, who now works as security guard at the Airport’s cargo unit, also rued the long legal process. “While helping someone takes a few hours, the subsequent legal process is long. It often deters people from playing good Samaritans. I hope that changes.”
