Disha Tandon, Pune
A 12-year-old girl was raped and left bleeding on the streets of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, in a disturbing episode that underscores the rising violence against women and minors in India. CCTV footage shows the victim knocking on doors to ask for assistance but being rebuffed by passersby. The incident occurred about 15 kilometers from Ujjain, on the Badnagar Road.
The girl, who was bleeding and walking around semi-naked, eventually sought assistance at an ashram, where a priest suspected sexual assault and immediately took her to the local hospital. The victim was later sent to Indore for additional treatment after the medical evaluation revealed evidence of rape. The police have registered a case of rape against unidentified accused and invoked the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The Ujjain police have assembled a special team to find and apprehend the offenders as soon as possible. The general public has been urged by the police to contact them if they have any information on the occurrence. When questioned about the scene of the incident, the police said that it was under investigation and further details will be available soon.
The event has highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s appalling track record when it comes to violence against women. The state reported the most instances of women and girls going missing between 2019 and 2021. Additionally, Madhya Pradesh reported the most incidents of rapes in the country in 2021, with over 50% of them being crimes against minors.
There are shocking statistic of 18 rapes per day; the number translates to emphasize the urgent need for tighter legislation and heavier penalties for those who commit such horrific crimes. A thorough legal framework for the protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation was established in 2012 with the passage of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Its implementation has been sluggish, and the public and law enforcement organizations both need to be made more aware of the issue.
People around the nation have expressed indignation over the occurrence and protested it, calling for tighter legislation to stop such incidents from happening in the future and justice for the victim. The need for a safer environment for women and children is being underlined, and calls are being made for law enforcement agencies to take more accountability and duty.