A young 18-year-old girl in Agra, India, tragically took her own life after feeling let down by the police’s lack of action against her molesters. The incident occurred on Wednesday, under the jurisdiction of the Jagdishpura police in Agra district. The girl had filed a complaint four months prior regarding the molestation incidents, but no significant action was taken by the authorities.
Commissioner of Police, Preetinder Singh, admitted that there were some oversights in the handling of the case. He stated, An FIR has been registered against three individuals under section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for abetment of suicide, based on the complaint filed by the girl’s father. One of the accused has been arrested, and further investigations are underway. There were clear lapses in the role of the investigating officer in the previous case involving the accused. As a result, the sub-inspector has been transferred to the Police Lines, and a departmental inquiry is being conducted. The arrested accused, Pramendra Kumar, is a teacher at a government-run school. His father, Amar Singh, and wife, Dimple, have also been named in the FIR.
According to the details of the case, the victim and her cousin were on their way to a nearby market to buy vegetables on January 1. Two unidentified individuals riding a motorcycle allegedly stopped them, subjected them to verbal abuse, and molested them. The perpetrators fled the scene but not before warning the girl not to involve her father in any legal action against their neighbors. The girl’s father, who works as a contractor with the electricity department, had previously filed a complaint against their neighbors for encroachment on public property, which led to the removal of the encroachment by the Agra Municipal Corporation.
The father recalls the painful ordeal of his family following the molestation incident. He said, We went to the police station and lodged a complaint, but initially, the police refused to register an FIR. After multiple visits to the police station, reaching out to the women’s commission, and meeting the police commissioner, the FIR was finally registered on February 17, 46 days after the incident. The case was registered under IPC sections 354, 341, and 506, pertaining to assault, wrongful restraint, and criminal intimidation, respectively.
He continued, However, the police neglected the matter for over four months. My daughter and niece were never called in to record their statements. The accused continued to harass us, and my daughter became a frequent target. She endured immense stress, and ultimately, the police failed her. They hold responsibility for her death.
This tragic incident highlights the significance of prompt and diligent action by law enforcement agencies when dealing with cases of harassment and assault. It emphasizes the importance of providing support and justice to victims of such heinous crimes. The authorities must ensure that similar lapses are never repeated, and appropriate measures are taken promptly to investigate and address complaints of this nature.
The community has been deeply saddened by this incident and calls for a thorough investigation to ensure justice for the victim and her family. It serves as a reminder that society must work collectively to create a safe environment for all individuals, and any form of harassment or assault must be met with strict legal consequences.
The tragic loss of the young girl’s life has sparked a sense of urgency and determination among activists and authorities to address the issue of delayed justice in cases of harassment and assault. It is imperative that the legal system takes swift action and implements necessary reforms to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.
The untimely death of the 18-year-old girl offers a somber reminder of the work that still needs to be done to protect and empower women in society. It is a wake-up call for authorities to take every complaint of harassment seriously and to prioritize the safety and well-being of individuals. The girl’s family and friends mourn her loss while urging for justice and accountability in this tragic case.
