Pilibhit Man Arrested for Allegedly Raping Mentally Ill Neighbour
A 28-year-old man was apprehended on Saturday night in a village in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly raping his neighbour, a 20-year-old woman described as mentally ill. The accused was caught red-handed by the woman's family members and subsequently handed over to the police, leading to his arrest.
Details of the Incident
According to a written complaint filed by the woman's uncle, the victim has been living alone in an adjacent house since the deaths of her parents. Her mother succumbed to tuberculosis in 2019, and her father passed away during the pandemic in 2022 due to an unidentified ailment. The family has been providing constant care for her.
On Saturday night, the accused allegedly trespassed into her house after finding the main door open and harassed the woman. Upon hearing her screams for help, the complainant's nephew and several neighbours rushed to the scene, rescued the victim, and caught the accused in the act. The police were immediately informed, and the accused was handed over to them.
Legal Action Taken
An FIR has been registered against the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 64(1) for rape and 333 for house trespass. This case highlights ongoing concerns about safety and crime in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh.
Second Sexual Assault Case in Pilibhit
This incident comes just days after another disturbing case in the same district. A 17-year-old girl was allegedly molested at gunpoint by a 22-year-old man from her village on the night of January 18. The accused reportedly scaled the girl's house and attempted to rape her while she was asleep. He fled when the girl's two brothers woke up upon hearing her screams and rushed to her rescue.
The girl's family initially hesitated to report the incident due to fears of backlash. "The accused pointed a gun at my daughter and threatened to kill all her family members. I initially avoided approaching the police to save the dignity of my daughter and the family, but when the accused continued threatening me and my family, I decided to take legal action against him," said the girl's father.
An FIR in this case has been registered under BNS sections 333 for house trespass, 74 for criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, and 351(3) for criminal intimidation, along with relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Broader Implications
These back-to-back incidents in Pilibhit district underscore a troubling pattern of sexual violence and home invasions targeting vulnerable individuals. Authorities are under pressure to enhance security measures and ensure swift justice. The use of the new BNS sections in these cases marks a significant legal development, as India transitions to updated criminal laws aimed at strengthening penalties for such offences.
Community vigilance and prompt police action, as seen in the first case, are crucial in combating such crimes. However, the initial reluctance of victims' families to report incidents, due to threats and social stigma, remains a major challenge in addressing sexual assault in rural India.
