Efforts to hide crimes: Rahul Gandhi questions 'police response' in Badlapur sexual assault case

New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has voiced strong criticism over the delayed police action in the Badlapur sexual assault case, where the authorities took 12 hours to register an FIR after the family of one of the victims lodged a complaint. The incident involved the assault of two young girls in Badlapur, Maharashtra’s Thane district, and has sparked widespread outrage.

'Efforts being made to hide crimes'

Rahul Gandhi expressed his disappointment on Wednesday, stating that "more efforts are made to hide crime than to provide justice." He condemned the delay, emphasizing the need for swift justice for the victims. "The first step to deliver justice wasn't taken until the public hit the streets. Must we now protest to even register an FIR? Why has it become so difficult for victims to approach the police?" he questioned in a tweet.

पश्चिम बंगाल, यूपी, बिहार के बाद महाराष्ट्र में भी बेटियों के खिलाफ शर्मनाक अपराध सोचने पर मजबूर करते हैं कि हम एक समाज के तौर पर कहां जा रहे हैं?

बदलापुर में दो मासूमों के साथ हुए अपराध के बाद उनको इंसाफ दिलाने के लिए पहला कदम तब तक नहीं उठाया गया जब तक जनता ‘न्याय की गुहार’…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 21, 2024

Crimes against women on rise 

The Opposition leader’s remarks came amid mounting criticism of the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra for failing to act promptly on such a sensitive case. He stressed that this hesitation to file an FIR not only discourages victims but also emboldens perpetrators of crime. Gandhi further linked the Badlapur case to other horrific incidents across India, pointing to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata and similar "shameful crimes" against women in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

"After West Bengal, UP, Bihar, and now Maharashtra, we must reflect on the direction our society is heading," Gandhi stated. He called for collective action from governments, political parties, and citizens to create a safer environment for women.

"Justice is the right of every citizen and should not be left to the discretion of the police and administration," he asserted, urging for an overhaul in the way the system handles such cases to ensure justice is delivered swiftly and without prejudice.