In Nirbhaya re-run, juvenile rapes 7-year-old

The incident took place at around 6.30 pm on Friday when the accused called the victim to play with him in a park in Tigri’s JJ Colony area. Taking advantage of the darkness and isolation, the teenager who is a class IX student of a government school sodomized the girl. While forcing himself on her, he covered her mouth with a handkerchief so that she could not raise an alarm.

The girl became unconscious during the sexual assault. In the fear of getting caught, the accused fled the spot. “A PCR call was received informing about the unconscious girl found in the park and the local police rushed to the spot immediately. Also, the staff of Neb Sarai police station who were also patrolling the area saw the girl and rushed her to AIIMS Trauma Centre,” an official close to investigation said.

When the girl was admitted in the hospital she was bleeding profusely and was semi-naked. She underwent an operation on Friday night and her condition is stated to be out of danger but still critical. A case has been registered under relevant sections of IPC and POCSO Acts at Neb Sarai police station in South Delhi.

Meanwhile, the family members of the girl who reside in Tigri were informed about the incident. They told the police that she was last seen playing with one of the neighbours after which a raid was conducted and the accused was detained as the suspect. On Saturday morning, the girl in her statement narrated the ordeal and accused the teenager of raping her. 

The accused, who was detained by the police, was apprehended and sent to the juvenile justice board. However, family members on Sunday alleged that their daughter has been gang-raped by at least three persons, but the police dismissed their allegations mentioning the statement of the victim and the initial statement of her parents. Also, the juvenile accused refused the allegations of gang-rape, police said.

Meanwhile, this incident has evoked sharp criticism in the national Capital, with DCW chief Swati Maliwal alleging that the victim was “denied” treatment for four hours at the AIIMS. “Shocked. AIIMS denied treatment to bleeding 7 year old rape victim for 4 hours. Wasn’t given even first aid. Will issue notice. Unacceptable,” she alleged in a tweet.

“Visited seven-year-old girl raped in Delhi. She is in so much pain. Had to undergo two hour surgery. What (a) shame. How many more Nirbhaya will Delhi have?” she said.

Several attempts to reach AIIMS officials on the allegation proved futile. The incident comes days ahead of the third anniversary of the gruesome December 16 gangrape incident. The Aam Aadmi Party also reacted strongly and expressed concern over the issue while assuring that all measures are being taken to ensure safety of women in the city.