New Delhi: When discussions about heinous rape incidents arise in India, the infamous Nirbhaya case from Delhi in 2012 invariably comes to the forefront. However, a recent appalling incident of gang rape has surfaced in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, revealing a dark chapter that bears haunting similarities to the Nirbhaya case.What actually happenedA minor girl from Odisha, working in Visakhapatnam, experienced a horrifying ordeal. After engaging in consensual relations with her boyfriend, she fell victim to a series of gruesome acts. First, she was handed over to a friend who raped her. Subsequently, in a shocking turn of events, a seemingly sympathetic acquaintance took her to his home, where he subjected her to another round of sexual assault.The harrowing nightmareThe brutality did not cease there. The assailant, joined by 10 accomplices, continued to exploit the victim for two harrowing days. The girl endured unspeakable pain and suffering while the perpetrators callously muffled her cries by stuffing a cloth into her mouth. Eventually, the traumatised victim managed to escape their clutches, returning to her village home.Discovery and revelationUpon her return, her family, who had reported her missing, were relieved but shocked to witness her traumatized state. Unable to articulate her ordeal immediately, the victim eventually recounted the horrifying story to her family members. Disturbed by the revelations, her family promptly took her to the police station, where she provided a detailed statement.The victims backgroundThe 17-year-old victim hails from a village in Kalahandi district, Odisha. She had been residing in Visakhapatnam, caring for a mans dog while he was away. The incident unfolded on December 17 when the man, accompanied by his friend, took her to a lodge after celebrating her boyfriends birthday at RK Beach, subjecting her to rape.What happenedShattered by the assault, the girl attempted suicide on the beach. However, a photographer intervened, offering assistance but tragically becoming another perpetrator. The photographer, along with 10 friends, gang-raped her in his room, extending the nightmare for two agonising days.Legal actions, investigationsThe victims father reported her missing, leading to a case being registered. After her recovery, the police registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the IPC and POCSO Act. A thorough investigation is underway, with multiple police teams conducting raids in Visakhapatnam and Jharkhand to apprehend the culprits. Eleven individuals have been arrested so far, while two remain at large.Outcry and demand for justiceThe State Womens Commission Chairperson, Vasireddy Padma, has sought information from the Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner. Womens organizations are demanding the harshest punishment for the perpetrators, igniting a statewide outcry against the brutal incident.The gruesome gang rape in Visakhapatnam has sent shockwaves across Andhra Pradesh, underscoring the urgent need for swift and stringent legal action against the perpetrators. The harrowing parallels to the Nirbhaya case only intensify the collective call for justice in the face of such unspeakable crimes.
