Minor raped in Begusarai, case filed after 5 days

BEGUSARAI: In a shocking incident, a 12-year-old girl was raped on August 2 and an FIR in this connection was lodged after five days on Wednesday.
The incident took place at Rachiyahi village under Matihani police station of the district on Friday. Begusarai SP Awakash Kumar said, “Matihani JD(U) MLA Bogo Singh called him on Wednesday morning and informed about the plight of the girl.Consequently, I met the girl and her kin and directed the Matihani SHO to immediately lodge a case in this connection.”
According to sources, the survivor had gone to collect firewood on the outskirts of the village when one Ram Lochan Tanti (40), raped her at gunpoint and threatened to eliminate her family members if the case was reported to police.
The girl, however, narrated her miseries to her parents. According to the mother of the survivor, she immediately approached the Matihani police station to lodge a case in this connection. However, she was asked to settle the case at the village panchayat. “The panchayat did not do any justice. Instead, the accused further threatened us,” alleged the mother of the victim and added, “Seeing no help coming forward, I once again approached the police station concerned only to be rebuked again. It was only after my repeated attempts to file a case failed, I sought help from the Matihani MLA,” she said.
The SP, however, said police had not been informed about the case. Instead, the matter was hushed up and there was a bid to settle it in the village panchayat. “The Matihani MLA brought the matter to my notice on Wednesday and I immediately directed the police station concerned to lodge a case,” he said.
The MLA could not be contacted for his comments.