Nirbhaya redux: Woman gangraped in Rohtak, body mutilated

Rohtak: A 23-year old woman was gangraped and brutally murdered in Rohtak district of Haryana, the police said today, in a case which brings back the haunting memories of the Nirbhaya outrage. 

According to the Haryana police, the woman, a divorcee who was living with her parents in Sonipat, was allegedly kidnapped on ,May 9 while on her way to work. A missing complaint had been lodged in Rohtak district following her disappearance. On May 11, police found her mutilated body at an empty plot in Rohtak Urban Estate area. 

"The victim was gang raped, tortured, mutilated and killed. At least seven people were involved in the heinous act. The way her skull was smashed gave an indication of being run over by a vehicle in order to hide her identity’, the forensic team said in a statement. Police was stunned by the extent of brutality when they recovered her mutilated body. 

Sharp-edged objects had been inserted into the private parts of the victim, the police said. They said that stray dogs had bitten away the victim's face and lower portion of her body. The girl’s parents named Sumit, their neighbour, as the prime suspect, who according to them had been harassing the victim for past one year after she rejected his marriage proposal. 

They told the police that Sumit had visited their home only a few days ago. The woman had spurned his proposal for marriage following which Sumit threatened her with dire consequences. "Two persons, Sumit and Vikas, have been arrested in this connection," sub-inspector Sonipat, Ajay Malik said. 

''The investigations are on and soon we hope to solve the case,'' the police said. 
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi expressed deep shock and outrage over the brutality. Expressing heartfelt condolences to the family, Ms Gandhi said, ''this savage and bone chilling incident has shocked the conscience of the nation, reminding each one of us about the crying need to revisit the important issue of women's safety and security.'' 

The Congress chief hoped that the Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government in Haryana will take action against the perpetrators of the crime and provide solace to the family of the victim. Rahul Gandhi said jungle raj in BJP-ruled states continues. He expressed the hope that Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar would ensure arrest of the culprits and take stern action. "Jungle Raj in BJP ruled states continues. Hope the CM wakes up, arrests the culprits & takes stern action,’’Rahul said. (UNI)