Anganwadi worker's gang-rape case, reported at Chintaki police station in Aurad taluk on December 27, is taking a new turn, with police suspecting the victim's version. They have decided to make no formal arrests till things are clear.
As per the oral statement that the victim made at a government hospital in Chintaki on December morning, she was staying alone at her home as her daughter had gone on tour. By 11.45 p.m. on December 26, her sister came with 3-4 men and requested her to help a pregnant women in labour pain. She went with the them in an auto rickshaw for offering medical assistance. On the way, her sister alighted from the vehicle and the driver drove away. Later, she was gang raped. She went unconscious after three people raped her. She gained conscious next morning and sought help from passersby, but in vain. She then walked down to Chintaki and got admitted in a government hospital. She named nine men and her sister to the police. Injuries and burn marks were found on her body.
Realising the gravity of the incident, Superintendent of Police Nikam Prakash Amrit hand over the case to women police station in Bidar. After primary investigation, the police began to suspect the victim's version of the incident.
"Being a woman, I can understand the gravity of the complaint. I am honestly investigating the case. By the inputs I gathered so far, accused appear to be innocent. They are being targeted to settle old scores. At present, I am analysing the phone call records of all the accused and the victim to ascertain their locations during the alleged crime," Mallamma, the woman Police Sub Inspector and Investigating Officer in the case told The Hindu . She said that she had decided to make no arrests till the things are clearer.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Amrit said the case has multiple angles and he cannot conclude anything before the investigation reaches logical conclusion. "We cannot reveal all the things when the case is under investigation," he said.
Meanwhile, Anganwadi Workers' Association affiliated to Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) are making preparations to hold a huge agitation against the police for their "in-activeness" in the case. They alleged that the police were backing the accused.
"The police are backing the rapists in the case. We will mobilise all Anganwadi workers in the district to protest against the police and demand the arrests of the accused," Shreedevi, a CITU leader said.
