Fight for justice costs three lives; Dalit family faces fatal reprisals in sexual harassment case

The 23-year-old woman had filed a police case back in 2019 alleging that four men had harassed, threatened and assaulted her. During the 2020 Assembly polls, the case then became a prominent topic of discussion, sparking debates between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. 

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Another shocking incident has compelled to raise serious questions about the tall claims and promises made by politicians during their election campaigns that seem to be forgotten once the elections get over. In an unprecedented incident, a family's fight for justice in sexual harassment case has left three of its family members dead. A Dalit woman who had accused four men of sexual harassment died in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district after allegedly falling from an ambulance carrying the body of her uncle who was beaten to death by the same people. 

What was the case about?

The 23-year-old woman had filed a police case back in 2019 alleging that four men had harassed, threatened and assaulted her. During the 2020 Assembly polls, the case then became a prominent topic of discussion, sparking debates between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. 

After the elections were over, the woman was forced to withdraw her complaint which her family refused. In a tragic incident that happened last year in August, a mob of hundreds beat the woman's 18-year-old brother to death. The brutality of the assailants did not stop there, they had also stripped the girl's mother when she was trying to protect her son. Following the widespread outburst, nine people were arrested with charges of murder and the stringent SC/ST Act was invoked against them. 

Last Saturday, the woman's uncle who was also a witness of her brother's mob murder, received a call from a man named Pappu Rajak who acted as an intermediary, conveying the message of the accused, asking him to retract the testimony and settle the matter. Refusing to agree to the same, both Pappu and the victim's uncle were attacked leading to the death of the latter while the former is still suffering, his condition being critical. 

Police Action initiated 

After registration of a police complaint by the family, a case has been registered against five accused namely Aashiq Qureshi, Bablu Bena, Israel Bena, Faheem Khan and Tantu Qureshi out of which one has been arrested. 

Victim succumbs to built pressure

The girl who filed the 2019 sexual harassment lawsuit died on Sunday night after falling from the hearse vehicle that was transporting her uncle's remains. Some sources state that while she was bringing the body home, she opened the van's door and jumped out while they were still 20 kilometres away.

Demand for action simmers

The woman's death has sparked public outrage and scathing remarks from the Congress blaming the Mohan Yadav-led BJP government for taking action against the worsening law and order situation in the state. The girl had previously made several cries about how she was being threatened by the accused to take back the case. Top leaders including Rahul Gandhi tweeted about the case targeting PM Modi over his promises of women's security and safety.