A shocking case from Bulandshahr district has reached a grim conclusion with the death of the prime accused. A 59-year-old Assistant Development Officer (ADO) from the agriculture department, who faced horrific charges of rape and bestiality, died in judicial custody on Thursday. The day of his death coincided with his birthday.
Heinous Crimes and Arrest
The sequence of events traces back to August 13, 2023. The accused officer, posted in the Shikarpur block, visited a Dalit man's house for an official inspection. Finding the man's 10-year-old daughter alone, he allegedly dragged her into a room and sexually assaulted her. In an act that compounded the brutality, before fleeing the scene, he also committed an unnatural sexual act with a goat that was tied inside the victim's home.
A neighbour reportedly captured part of this barbaric incident on a mobile phone camera. This evidence played a crucial role in the subsequent legal action. The ADO was arrested, and a First Information Report (FIR) was registered under multiple stringent laws.
Legal Charges and Judicial Process
The charges against him were severe and reflected the gravity of the crimes. They included:
- BNS Section 65(2) for rape of a woman under twelve years of age.
- Section 3(2)(5) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
- Sections 5(M)/6 of the POCSO Act.
- Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The court had rejected his bail plea, and he remained incarcerated for nearly a year. The case was actively being heard, with fourteen witnesses having already testified. The young survivor had identified the accused in court. "We presented strong evidence in court to prove him guilty," said ADGC Varun Kaushik. Notably, a medical examination of the goat was also conducted, which confirmed the assault.
Death in Custody and Official Statement
On Thursday, the accused complained of chest pain within the prison walls. He was being transported to a hospital but died en route. Jailor Ashok Kumar stated on Friday that the deceased was a known heart patient and had been receiving treatment in Delhi and Meerut even while in judicial custody.
"His autopsy report has confirmed death due to cardiac arrest, and the body has been handed over to his family," Kumar said. The tragic irony was that the day of his death was also his birthday. The next hearing in this harrowing case was scheduled for January 6, 2024.
The incident has left the local community in Shikarpur, Bulandshahr, in a state of continued trauma, while the legal proceedings have now been abruptly closed by the accused's death. The case highlighted not only a horrific crime but also the vulnerabilities within the system, ending without a final judicial verdict for the victims.
