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(iii) Gang-Rape of Dalit Women in Bhomtola village, Seoni District, Madhya Pradesh * #
Title: Statement regarding gang-rape of dalit women in Bhomtola village, Seoni District, Madhya Pradesh. – Laid.
: On 12th July, 2004, Shri Ramji Lal Suman had raised in the Lok Sabha concern about a recent incident of gang-rape of three women in Madhya Pradesh. In deference to the sentiments expressed by the Hon’ble Member, I have obtained a report from the State Government.
As per the report received from the Madhya Pradesh Government, three women belonging to the dalit community were allegedly gang-raped on 08.07.2004 between 11.00 PM to 12.30 AM at night in Bhomatola village, Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh. A number of men belonging to another community dragged into the house of Shri Dhan Singh, allegedly forcibly dragged three women out of the house, then took them out of the village and gang-raped them. This was apparently in retaliation to an allegation that son of Shri Dhan Singh had run away with a girl belonging to their community, about which a missing person report was registered at Kanhipara police station on 6th July, 2004.
After the incident, the accused persons brought the victims in a procession into the village. When this dastardly act was being committed, all the accomplices were witnessing this evil deed and encouraging the accused persons. They neither protested against this incident nor lodged any complaint with the police. An ex-Sarpanch who happened to be passing through the village informed Kanhibara police station about the incident over the telephone. The police reached the spot immediately thereafter and took the victims under their shelter. A Crime case No. 173/04 under Sections 456, 376 (2) (g), 366/IPC and Section 3 under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 has been registered by the local police, against nine known accused and 20 to 25 unidentified persons.
4. Eight out of the nine named accused have been arrested so far. In addition, three accused not named (unknown) in the FIR have also been arrested so far. The case is under investigation by an officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. Efforts are on to apprehend the rest of the accused. All the victims have been provided a financial relief of Rs.50,000/- each. The Superintendent of Police has also been directed to constitute a separate team to trace out the missing girl and the boy. The Madhya Pradesh Government is taking action to impose a collective fine on the persons who encouraged the crime rather than preventing it. One sub-inspector and one head constable have also been suspended for negligence of duty in the matter relating to the missing persons and departmental proceedings have been initiated against them.SHRI BIKRAM KESHARI DEO (KALAHANDI): Sir, the hon. Minister has made statements regarding flood situation but he did not make a statement on the drought situation in various parts of the country. There is a severe drought situation in various parts of Orissa.
MR. SPEAKER: This is not there in the business listed for today.
… (Interruptions) Speech was Laid on the Table.# Also Placed in Library. See No. LT 265/04
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