Jaipur
Against the backdrop of widespread outrage and the opposition BJP’s attack, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday met the 21-year-old tribal woman who was beaten, stripped naked and paraded by her own husband in Dhariyawad village in Pratapgarh district and offered a government job and Rs 10 lakh financial assistance by way of a fixed deposit account in her name.
“In this case, an SIT has been formed. 11 people have been arrested. I spoke to the victim’s family and assured them that the government is standing with you and justice would prevail. I have offered her a government job so that she can support her family which includes three sisters and a young brother. Her father does labour work, it is a very poor family. And we will make a fixed deposit of Rs. 10 lakhs for the woman,” the Rajasthan Chief Minister said.
“She is pregnant. I have told her to remain strong and take care of herself and her family,” he added.
In the video, the husband is seen stripping his wife outside their home and parading her naked even as she screams for help. The Rajasthan police have arrested seven accused including the husband of the 21-year-old tribal woman, and detained four others in connection with the case. A video of the incident that occurred on August 31 surfaced online a day after triggering massive outrage.
State DGP Umesh Mishra said the in-laws of the woman kidnapped her and took her to their village where the incident took place. Her in-laws were annoyed as she was staying with another man, he said adding the victim lodged a complaint against her husband Kanha Gameti along with Suraj, Beniya, Netiya, Nathu and Mahendra for forcibly taking her on a motorcycle and parading her naked.
In all, 10 people have been named in the FIR for molestation, thrashing the woman besides other relevant sections. Of these, eight, including the main accused, have been detained, the DGP said in a statement.
Earlier, as the incident evoked widespread condemnation, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot called for “strictest action” against the culprits.
“In Pratapgarh district, a video of a woman being stripped naked by her in-laws due to a family dispute with her in-laws has surfaced. The Director General of Police has been instructed to send the ADG Crime to the spot and take the strictest action in this matter. There is no place for such criminals in a civilized society. These criminals will be put behind bars as soon as possible and will be tried and punished in the fast track court,” he tweeted.
BJP president J P Nadda lashed out at the Congress-led Rajasthan government saying governance in the state is “totally absent” while the Chief Minister and his colleagues are busy in factional fight.
Nadda tweeted, “The video from Pratapgarh, Rajasthan is shocking. What is worse is governance in Rajasthan is totally absent. The CM and Ministers are busy settling factional squabbles, and the remaining time is spent appeasing one dynasty in Delhi. It’s no wonder the issue of women’s safety is being completely ignored in the state.”
“Every single day, there is an instance of harassment against women. The people of Rajasthan will teach the state Government a lesson,” he asserted.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the incident has laid bare the hypocrisy of the Congress and asked if Rahul Gandhi will seek Ashok Gehlot’s resignation and demand President’s rule in the state.
