UP: Mentally-challenged mute woman gang-raped, chased by men on deserted road
Balrampur (UP) (PTI): A mentally challenged and deaf-mute woman was allegedly gang-raped in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district after being chased by bike-borne men on a deserted road, the horror was captured on a CCTV footage that helped identify two suspects, police said on Wednesday.
The two accused -- Ankur Verma and Harshit Pandey -- were arrested following a police encounter and have admitted to the crime during preliminary interrogation, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar.
In the harrowing 16-second CCTV footage, the woman, seemingly barefoot, was seen running on a dimly lit deserted road and men chasing her on motorcycles.
The incident came to light after the 21-year-old woman’s brother lodged a complaint with the Kotwali Dehat police station two days ago alleging that his deaf-mute and mentally challenged sister was raped.
SP Kumar informed that an FIR was registered on Monday, and an immediate investigation was launched.
"The route taken by the girl was thoroughly inspected, and CCTV footage helped identify suspects -- Ankur Verma and Harshit Pandey. They were arrested following a police encounter and have admitted to the crime during preliminary interrogation," Kumar said.
According to the complaint, the woman was going to her home from her maternal uncle's house when she was forcibly picked up on a motorcycle by some unidentified men midway.
These accused persons allegedly raped her at an isolated spot nearby, it added.
Additional SP Vishal Pandey said the site of the assault was inspected promptly, and the victim was sent for medical examination.
Police collected evidence and closely analysed CCTV footage to expedite the probe, Pandey added.
While the girl is undergoing medical care, further legal proceedings in the case are underway, police added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
'Sarke Chunar' row: Sanjay Dutt apologises; to sponsor education of 50 tribal girls
New Delhi (PTI): Actor Sanjay Dutt on Monday appeared before the National Commission for Women (NCW) in connection with the controversy over the song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke' and submitted a written apology, expressing regret for any "unintended" harm caused to society.
During the hearing, held under NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, the commission raised concerns over alleged vulgarity and indecent representation of women in the song from the movie "KD The Devil" and questioned issues of intent, awareness and accountability.
The chairperson emphasised whether adequate due diligence was undertaken before participating in content that could be perceived as promoting objectification of women, while also underlining the responsibility of senior and influential public figures in ensuring that their work remains within the bounds of legal and societal standards.
As a corrective measure, Dutt committed to sponsoring the education of 50 tribal girl children as part of efforts towards social welfare and women's empowerment, the NCW said in a statement.
He also assured the commission that his future artist agreements would include mandatory legal due diligence provisions to ensure dignified and appropriate representation of women and children in films and related creative projects.
Actor Nora Fatehi, who was also summoned, could not appear as she is currently abroad and has sought a fresh date for the hearing.
On April 6, other individuals associated with the song, including director Kiran Kumar alias Prem, lyricist Raqueeb Alam and representatives of KVN Production Company Gautam K M and Suprith, appeared before the commission and submitted their apologies.
The NCW underscored that while artistic freedom is important, it must be exercised with responsibility and sensitivity, reiterating the need for accountability in content reaching wide public audiences and reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the dignity and representation of women.
The Hindi version of the song, released on March 15 on YouTube, drew public ire for its sexually explicit lyrics.
After the outrage, the makers deleted the Hindi version of the song from YouTube, although it was widely played and shared across various platforms.
Fatehi, in a video later, distanced herself from the song, saying she shot the video for the Kannada version and her permission was not taken to use it in the Hindi version. The lyricist, singer and the director also apologised.
The issue was brought up in Lok Sabha during Question Hour by Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Anand Bhadoria last month.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the song was already banned and the government was ready to take action against such vulgarity.
"KD The Devil" is a Kannada film, dubbed in four languages, including Hindi. It will release on April 30. The film features Dhruva Sarja, V Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind, Shilpa Shetty, and Dutt.
