UP: Cop inaction, social ostracism force rape survivor to hang self

KANPUR: While the Unnao rape survivor battles for life, just 22km away in the heart of Kanpur city, another rape survivor committed suicide late Friday after police refused to act on her complaint. The Class 6 student, who was barely into her teens, could not bear the social ostracism and shocking apathy of a police force that failed to take lessons from nationwide outrage and court scrutiny into the Unnao case.
A resident of Raipurwa locality, she was allegedly gangraped a month ago and the complaint was filed on July 27. She used a dupatta to hang herself from the ceiling, police said. On Saturday, family members of the girl launched protests and refused to hand over her body for autopsy. "She sank into acute depression after finding that her rapists were moving free while people in the neighbourhood were repeatedly heaping insults on her. We want immediate action against the guilty," said a family member. An under-fire police swiftly suspended an inspector, a sub-inspector and two constables for dereliction of duty.
The family was finally pacified by police and the body was taken for autopsy in the evening.
Girl’s suicide: Four cops suspended
Family sources said, they had lodged a complaint a fortnight ago, accusing three people of abduction and gang rape of the girl on the night of July 13. The complaint had named the perpetrators as Wasif, Wasaf and Shyamu, residents of Raipurwa.
“Despite visiting the police station every day and pleading for justice, no action was taken. Also, constant taunts from women in the neighbourhood upset her,” a family member said.
Police said the girl took the extreme step on Friday night, when she was alone in the house.
Talking to TOI, senior superintendent of police, Anant Deo, said, “Four policemen have been suspended and we are probing the case based on the family’s complaint. Two women in the locality, who allegedly harassed the girl have also been taken into custody for questioning. A police team has launched a search for the accused.