On train to Lucknow, rape and acid attack survivor forced to drink acid; 2 held

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visits her at hospital, promises swift action against culprits

March 25, 2017 01:32 am | Updated 04:40 pm IST - Lucknow

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Aditya Nath Yogi arrives at the Gandhi Ward of KGMU in Lucknow on Friday to meet a gang rape victim. The victim was also forced to drink acid in a moving train on the outskirts of Lucknow on Thursday. PTI Photo by Nand Kumar  (PTI3_24_2017_000125B)

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Aditya Nath Yogi arrives at the Gandhi Ward of KGMU in Lucknow on Friday to meet a gang rape victim. The victim was also forced to drink acid in a moving train on the outskirts of Lucknow on Thursday. PTI Photo by Nand Kumar (PTI3_24_2017_000125B)

A rape and acid attack survivor of the Dalit community was forced to drink acid while she was travelling on a train to Lucknow on Thursday. The police on Friday arrested two men in connection with the incident. The woman was admitted to the trauma centre of the King George’s Medical College.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited her and promised swift action against the culprits. “Necessary action will be taken soon,” he tweeted soon after his visit. He also directed the police to provide security to the victim, while announcing ₹1 lakh assistance to her.

In 2009, Bhondhu Singh and Guddu allegedly gang-raped her over a property dispute at her home at Unchahar in Rae Bareli and on December 25, 2013 attacked her with acid.

On March 10, she had gone home to Rae Bareli to see her daughter, who is appearing for Board examinations. On Thursday morning, when she was returning to Lucknow by the Ganga-Gomti Express, the two persons attacked her and forced her to drink acid at the Mohanlalganj railway station, police said.

Colleagues of the victim, who works at a cafe here, alleged that she was forced to drink acid by the accused so that she would not be able to raise her voice against them.

A case was registered against the two persons at the Government Railway Police (GRP) station Charbagh under Section 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons) and 3(2)5 of the SC/ST Act.

Selfies invite flak

Four RPF (Railway Protection Force) jawans were suspended for negligence in duty. The police has also ordered action against three women constables after they clicked selfies with the victim by her hospital bed. The pictures were widely circulated on social media.

A. Satish Ganesh, Inspector General Police (IGP)-Lucknow Zone, termed the three constables “insensitive” and directed the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and the Senior Superintendent Police (SSP), Lucknow, to take action.

Police ignored plea

The victim’s colleagues alleged negligence on the part of the police, saying the woman had sought police protection in the past due to threats received by her but officials did not pay heed to it.

According to NGO Stop Acid Attacks, the victim was attacked in 2009 by the accused after she filed a complaint soon after the rape, and on December 25, 2013, they made the acid attack on her. She also received a fresh threat letter on January 18, after which the police and administration assured help and security.

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