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NEW DELHI: Eight men accused in the gang-rape and murder case of an eight-year-old Kashmiri girl who were protected by ministers and lawyers loyal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have seized the attention of millions as rage continued to course across India on Friday at the horror of what the little girl suffered.
Mr Modi, in a message, called it a shame for any civilised society after opposition groups, including a large candlelight vigil by Congress President Rahul, demanded a statement from him.
They asked Mr Modi to speak on the Kashmiri outrage and the alleged rape of another minor girl in Uttar Pradesh by a BJP MLA.
The victim’s father died in police custody after he was beaten and tortured by relatives of the MLA and police. The Supreme Court slammed the state administration for its apparent connivance in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh.
The Supreme Court also ordered Hindu nationalist lawyers in Kashmir not to block the legal process. The crime was planned by a former revenue officer who wanted to drive the girl’s nomadic Muslim community of Bakerwals out of the Rassana area of Kathua, according to an investigation by NDTV.
It said that on Jan 10, the little girl in a purple dress, was grazing her horses near her one-room home when one of the accused, a 19-year-old, called her into the forest pretending to help look for a missing horse. The horse returned without her.
The police say the man dragged her to a small village temple and drugged her. For three days, the man and two others gang-raped her, keeping her sedated and without food. Before she was strangled and hit twice with a heavy rock for good measure, one of the men stopped the killer to rape her one last time, NDTV said.
The girl’s body was found in the forests on January 17.
Investigations led the police to the 19-year-old school dropout who had often seen the girl grazing horses, and to his uncle Sanji Ram, who was in charge of the temple where police found forensic evidence.
Sanji Ram, one of the accused persons, was a former government official who allegedly planned the depraved crime and even kept a huge amount of money for bribes, NDTV said. He was arrested after the teen’s confession, forensic tests and information based on the interrogation of various suspects.
The man who allegedly wanted to rape the girl one more time before her murder was Special Police Officer Deepak Khajuria, according to the police charge sheet.
He was named in the teen’s statement to the police. Call data records also established his presence at the place where she had been kept locked in for days.
Another accused person was the special police officer, Surinder Kumar. Witnesses saw him at the crime scene. Call data records also proved his presence.
The teen named his friend Parvesh Kumar as one of the men who repeatedly raped the child.
Sanji Ram’s son Vishal Jangotra was arrested on the basis of forensic tests. Vishal, studying in Meerut, travelled to Kathua after a phone-call from the teen who said he could “satisfy his lust”, the police charge sheet says.
Two other accused persons were policemen who were aware of the horrific crime and tried their best to cover it up for a huge bribe.
The charge sheet said sub-inspector Anand Dutta and head constable Tilak Raj didn’t collect vital evidence and washed the girl’s dress to help the criminals.
Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2018
Comments (117) Closed
Accused should be punished at the earliest. Child rape has become more prevalent in both Pakistan and India. Guilty should not be spared.
The sad face of humanity, being a father of a proud daughter I can’t imagine to be in such a pain. Those animals will taste the worse possible punishment.
Justice must prevail and seen to be same for all, no matter, who they are and what is their social status!
Poor girl was targeted because she was Muslim.
Too bad Modi's policies have led to this!
Dirty, evil, barbaric, cruel and inhuman act.
True
Too little too late
Culprits must be given exemplary punishment and those who are coming in their support just because of religion factor, must also be given some kind of punishment.
Modi has signed his political death warrant by ignoring the rape and death of this Kashmiri child for 3 months. Indian were watching very keenly his PM and now they are fed up. The arrogance and callousness BJP shown in this case will have far-reaching consequences.
really gruesome act...and lip service by Modi..
I agree with Modi. Every rape and that too of a child is shame on the nation. Dear Asifa forgive us. Your barbaric tormentors will not be spared at any costs.
Cowards! Killing innocent girl!
@Iztraab whatever may be Ur instinct but all Indians are united against this reprehensible act and justice will prevail for the accused.
Our Indian readers are obviously too silent..
This is a crime against humanity. Religion and politics should not come in the way of prosecution. I hope the perpetrators are given death sentence. No civilized society should tolerate such barbaric crime.
All Hindus of India are with the girls family and will not let the protest down until the justice is done to the girls family. Just Wait for few days .Even We are ready to sacrifice our government if they don't act.
This is Modi's India.
Shame on Asians fighting on petty issues with each other look at news about joit strike by US Britain and France in Syria. We all Asians are divided and behave like illiterates of third world. Keep fighting with each other like crooks on the name of religion region and what not.
Thousands were brutally murdered under the watch of Narendra "Butcher of Gujarat" and now thousands killed by same person in Kashmir. Narendra who has blood on his hand of the innocents and blood once spilled can't be washed away. There is no difference between him and Taliban or RSS etc., all same hate filled people, substandard who have done the same exploiting people and their beautiful faiths for their own personal gains. My IndoPak soldiers and civilians are being killed all due the political gains of the goons and hoodlum who are sitting in power in IndoPak. Lynching of minorities in India has increased, setting minorities on fire and hacked to death, no different than what is happening in Pakistan with blasphemy and religious extremism. Most will take sides but few will see that there is no difference between IndoPak majority of the so call leaders or politicians.
IndoPak Blood Brothers 4 Life!
I am too strunned to speak!
@Iztraab you cannot go beyond religious mind set to see the sick mind behind this hineous act.
@Concerned Karachiite I was equally sad when it happened in Pakistan (or elsewhere).
Please lets not bring religion in this. Criminals hide behind such ideas.
The culprits must be punished and we have full faith in our govt and PM that justice will be done.
@Chatterjee Are you sure it's because of Modi? It the mentality of the people. Few days ago in pakistan also a 8 yrs old girl raped and burnt alive. You don't need Modi or Abbasi. The male mentality is the reason. So don't express something stupid.
Nobody will be spared for this sad and despicable incident.Law if land will not spare them
INDIA changed a lot now 95 % of INDIA people are only thinking about HUMANITY not religion.
@Concerned Karachiite No, we r not silent. Pay attention to the news. We r protesting & demanding action against the culprits. The culprits have already been caught & will be brought to justice.
This is because of Modi politics
Humanity is dying!
An equally great shame is that a group of lawyers condoned the heinous act by trying to subvert the course of justice by preventing the complaint from being registered. How can anyone actively support these rapists?
@Concerned Karachiite This isn't an India v Pakistan thing - it happens both sides of the border, as well as elsewhere.
India takes these crimes very seriously. Just a complaint is enough. Actor Jitender is being tried for a molestation said to have occurred 45 years ago and now reported. People are very vocal to raise their voices against such incidents.
Justice may be delayed but will be given irrespective of cas creed and religion. In India no government can survive if it is seen unjust to any community it can be BJP or Congress or any.
Yesterday there was a protest against the arrest of a rapist of eight years old because she was a muslims
@Iztraab What about Zainab, Kasur?
What lind of country this is? Defending a rapist of eight year’s old just because the victim was a muslim
as per indian court Yakub Memon was hanged for indian public sentiments.
in this case poor girl should not be deprived from justice just for indian public sentiments. it should be done for humanity but not for international pressure.
So much mess in their own country but still Indians are here all the time lecturing us
@Iztraab _ Do not generalize such activities as religion based. Whether it is hindu, or muslim or a religion less child, a rape is a rape. Any any criminal who does such crime deserves to be punished, and will be punished.
Modi asked 2 of the ministers from BJP in the coalition government in J&K to resign immediately.
@Concerned Karachiite We are Silent because we are ashamed of it ! and we resolve to fight until the culprits are punished for this heinous act.
@Chatterjee - I fail to understand how political or economic policy led to this. A barbaric crime such as this will go punished. But more important than that people who relate religion, policy, nationalism to such crimes should also be taken to task.
@Concerned Karachiite Reading your comments ....one is crying because she was a Muslim
The police officers investigating the case have done remarkably well in the face of political pressure. Rapists need to be punished no matter what religion !
@Uncle Sam Very good reaction !!
@Aafiyat Nazar Lip service of Midi !
Usually Indian readers give their opinions on each and every Internal matters of Pakistan but today they’re silentl
Usually Indian readers give their unwanted opinion on each and every Internal matters of Pakistan but today when it came to their country they’re silent
@Uncle Sam , The Supreme Court directly take legal action against the culprits. 2 BJP MLA involved in the crime already resigned and the police officers who are supported under suspension. This is also India
When Modi says action will be taken then action will be taken. He is honest with strong will.
yes
In India this happened and the whole country flocked and rallied. In our country few days ago a girl was raped and burned alive. Why we are quiet and only that city people are protesting. There should be protests in PK as well to make the punishment quick.
@Iztraab And why was Zainab targeted?
@Concerned Karachiite
They are busy protesting on the streets.... you must have seen (or read this news properly) that millions of Indians are angry over two incidents! The civil society rose above petty politics and caste/creed/religion and demanding for bringing the culprits into justice. Thanks.
@Concerned Karachiite. Because we are ashamed of this barbaric act. But i am very sure. Who has bit of sense will condemn it.
I am a proud Indian, and this incident has brought shame to my motherland. But more hurt is brought by the parties who are busy in using this as a tool to achieve their political goals. I don't think I cannot forget her deep eyes as if asking what her fault was? Sorry Asifa bacche, we couldn't protect you. Forgive us.
Pakistanis commenting here should first put there own house in order as minor girls are being kidnapped , raped and converted on a daily basis in Pakistan.
@Uncle Sam Lets not involve politics in this. Dont disrespect the girl's memory. No one approves of these acts. Lets just pray that the indian courts do to them what we did to zainabs murderer. My mind boggles at how much barbarism hatred can infuse with someone. Lets all (Pakistanis and Indians) pray that may we never hear these sort of news again.
I am sure BJP will lose the next election because his bhakts are out of control.
How could they do something like this I don’t have words to explain my feelings.
This is really a horrible and inhumane crime, not acceptable anywhere in the world... People here are commenting that its coz of muslim or Modi, simply don't have any knowledge of the reality... Also, don't forget that similar crimes against children have occured in Pakistan too... So instead of engaging in blame game.. let's pray and hope that the guilty are properly brought to justice !!
US , UN disgustingly quiet.
This is modis shining India
@Chatterjee A Rapist is Rapist..No matter it is hindu or muslim..No difference between inhuman so called Hindu Rapist of 8 yrs old girl and 12 years old girl killed by Jakir hussain a muslim in Asam. I think people like they don't believe in moral value and principal of a religion..
Since when Modi has Shame?
Fake expression of sorrow if I ever saw one.
This guy does not care about Muslims, why pretend otherwise.
With one hand he kills Muslims, with other he pretends to understand their pain.
This is tip of the iceberg. We suffer this everyday. We want freedom from the foreign Indian invaders. They must leave.
@Concerned Karachiite: Visit Indian media to see the avalanche of outrage!
As an Indian, I am ashamed. In Kashmir , the police and Army cannot be held accountable. The extremists are leading us to destruction.
When ordinary people start talking like idiotic politicians, it doesn't augur well for the nation. These type of barbaric acts have happened in the past too. The question is how fast are we bringing the culprits/perpetrators to justice. This has nothing to do with religion.
@BhaRAT We are seething with anger, feeling extremely angry, to the extent I can't even words that can express anguish and horror. Every person I know is feeling the same. I fervently hope and pray that these animals are given examplery punishment and those lawyers who tried to obstruct filing case should be barred from courts forever. Law
I don't know why Pakistanis bring religion everywhere. It was a rape incident which must be condemned regardless of religion. I know countless cases where accused were Muslims but it doesn't mean all Muslims are like that. Some Hindu lawyers are with the killers but they are not even 1%. Other lawyers in the country are against them. So why suddenly these 1% Hindu lawyers represent all Hindus?
How can muslims under ruler like butcher of Gujrat Modi can get justice, when the corrupt indian justice system exonerate Butcher Modi for his hands in massacre of muslims in Gujrat
Shameful act but investigations are superb by Indian investigators.
@Chatterjee was this first rape in india why current govt is resposible
Shame on Modi. How can he allow this to happen.
Modi’s statement reflects sincerity and his acknowledging words shows his leadership skills
@Kashmiri from IOK - If you are aware of similar incidents, please please do raise this. There are many willing to fight for the right cause, just as there are many across India who are standing by justice for this little girl. The same approach must work for the rest of India as well. Asifa was not the only one who suffered the same fate, girls across India of different faiths and denominations have suffered cruelly. All such incidents must be raised with the Institutions created for such purposes
@BhaRAT , The rape was gruesome act. Don't add religion to it. Horrific Delhi rape in 2012 which shook the nation, victim was Hindu. Even in Pakistan, there was many horrific incident. Do you tag religion or sect to it ? Indians are not silent, they are deeply anguished and expressing their protest. Incidents like these do not define India.
@BhaRAT & Iztraab, What religion to an 8 year old??. A child is child either Hindu, Muslim or other community. The Apex court of India and Govt already taken action against this brutality. I think you are simply trying to spread bitterness
@Iztraab While I agree that the poor girl was targeted because she was Muslim, I am sure crores of Hindus like me are horrified by the barbaric act of the priest and his assistants who are alleged to have committed the crime. All the criminals in this case should face capital punishment at the earliest. Wish we could have protected Asifa, only tears are brought into our eyes, whenever we think of her. She deserved so much better life.
Too little, too late. In fact, these heinous crimes against the hapless, innocent, powerless, weak, feeble and helpless people including defenseless women and children of India-held and India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir are on-going and deliberately perpetuated by the shameless and brutal Indian army and it's spineless affiliates since last 71 years and none of the past and current "movers and shakers" in New Delhi said even a word for them? The change is on the horizon.
@Concerned Karachiite no we strongly condemn this inhuman act!!
@Iztraab Poor girl was targeted because she was Muslim." In Pakistan is there no tape taking place? How does religion come into picture in this heinous crime.?
Have you ever seen a shameless, conscienceless, fake and false crocodile's tears? If not, here is how the look like?
@Iztraab forget Hindu and Muslim Hindu girls are raped also main point is rape culture needs to stop
Modi doesn't give a damn. He is simply playing politics.
@Ratnajit Chakraborty And Indians should put their own house in order first before even saying that
@Ratnajit Chakraborty Same goes to you my friend before commenting on each and every Internal matters of Pakistan kindly put your own house in order first because India is no europe
Our blood boils while reading this. Especially about the " one last time " with the eight year old girl before her murder. This is the rarest of the rare case. Prime Minister Modi should ensure India's daughter is not let down. Sheer brutality to a girl child.
Give them death penalty ,no questions asked.
@Sayyar Khan So, the murder of the 8 year girl in Pakistan was due to Abbasi politics? Keep your stupidity out of crime on children!
It’s time for India to focus on the mess in their own backyard first before worrying about Pakistan Internal affairs all the time
@Zak Do you expect international community should do trial of sick minds who commit such crimes in India or Pakistan. Are we so inept that we can't punish these people.
Asifa was an Indian and by Indian Constitution, she was having equal rights like any of us. India thrives through its diversity, inclusiveness. All perpetrators will be punished and our justice system , independent media will ensure that. The idea of inclusive, tolerant, secular India need to be protected at any cost
Asifa will be the brightest rose in the heavens.
@BhaRAT
Mr. BhaRat,
Correct.
And Mr. Modi can say but does nothing.
@vasudevan
Mr. vasudevan,
Mr. Modi can say but does nothing.
Have you forgotten what has Mr. Modi done as
Chief Minister of Gujarat against the human
beings.
No matter of Muslims and Hindus.
I don't even know what to say.
@Ashok . Agree with you.
This is only one incident. A few days ago a 6-year-old was raped and murdered in Bihar and today there are reports of a 9-year-old raped and brutalized in Gujarat. We need stringent law enforcement and laws that make death penalty mandatory for child abusers.
I happen to be a Hindu Indian, and I can tell you most of us are utterly sickened by the appalling crime and hope for justice to be swiftly delivered.
I happen to have a daughter close to the age of the victim.
I do think capital punishment for the perpetrators would be most appropriate in this case and any lesser sentence would be a grave miscarriage of justice.
Very very heart breaking. The culprits should punished as quickly as possible.
@Sayyar Khan Does Modi ask for this crime? What non sense you are talking. What happen as an Indian I feeling shame. My heart is breaking for this little child. I am demanding in all public forum to give optimum punishment to the criminals.
People who bring religion and politics in such heinous crimes are as low grade as the rapists. Such crimes under humanity have happened under all governments in all religions in all countries. This is not the first or last of such crimes. Low lives will keep getting produced on this planet...that cannot be helped. Not all low lives get arrested for murders...and those low lives try painting such events with religious and political brush. Despicable.
Her father said rightly not only him whole Hindustan loose this little angel. Regardless of religion whole Hindustan is in a pain by this barbaric act and as Modi said, all-offender will be punished fully.
Anyone raping a girl under 12 yrs there should be given death penalty period ! Anyone raping a girl between 12 yrs and 15 yrs should be given 25 yrs jail with no parole--this should apply in India and Pakistan and Bangladesh -- this will act as deterrence ! I sympathise with victim of rape and their families !! May justice prevail !
@Iztraab poor girl was targeted because she was poor.r remove your blinkers.
@Kashmiri from IOK This happened in Jammu.
@edward singh Any one raping any child or woman should be awarded the death penalty, no if's, and's or but's....
@Iztraab These animals don't care whether a victim is a hindu, muslim or of any other faith. In the name of mighty lord don't make statements that instigate already tense situation.we all should pray that the law is followed to its fullest and these enemies of humanity receive the harshest punishment possible under the law. May justice prevail.
Could cost Modi government if not acted swiftly and decisively. I hope he gets that much. He can't claim credit for progress but run away from taking responsibility of such crimes
@Hwh the government need to take responsibility. Can't say it's the people when crime happen and take credit for progress. One of the basic job of a government is to protect citizens.
"Whatever moral ascendancy the West once held was lost here today", said Gandhi, on the eve of the salt march, 1930. I wonder if as Hindus we are in a similar situation now as the West was on that day. Sorry for failing you as a country, Asifa.