Month after rape and killing of minor in Bihar, no action

A month after a minor daughter of a landless labourer was gang-raped and killed in Bihar's Bhagalpur district, the police seems to have made no progress in probing the case.

The 17-year-old girl of Khiribandh village in Bhagalpur was gang-raped on April 3 night, allegedly by some youths believed to be close to the ruling grand alliance of JD(U), RJD and Congress on April 3 night.

"She was gang-raped when returning after attending a mushaira (poetry recital) in a neighbouring village and later murdered by the accused. Her body was found behind a garden near Khirbandh," her father Mohammad Shamsul said in his petition, sent to Bihar home secretary and police chief as well as Bhagalpur district magistrate and superintendent of police.

Shamsul, a poor menial worker, was threatened by some powerful people not to put pressure on local administration and not to approach Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his weekly 'janata durbar' for justice.

However, a senior official of the state bureaucracy said the district administration was directed to look into this case for action.

A local social activist Sambey said the district administration appears not keen to take action in this case and hardly showing any seriousness about solving it.

"That raises questions as to why the administration is indifferent in arresting the accused and till date has not initiated action. It gives weight to speculation that the accused have close relationship with ruling alliance leaders," Sambey said.

The victim was student of a local government school and was known for her social concerns.

Arun Mishra, a CPI(M) leader, who had organised last month a dharna in Bhagalpur demanding police action in the case, said the government has not shown any seriousness to punish the people who have committed this heinous crime.

"Victim's poor parents are helpless and frightened after the incident. They are losing hope for justice now," Mishra said.

According to an activist Ghalib, a petition for justice to the victim was sent to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Commission for Women. "We have highlighted the demand for justice to the parents of the poor victim," he said.