In a startling incident that has stirred controversy in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district, a 23-year-old Muslim man faced public humiliation as he was paraded, had his face blackened, and his head partially shaved. This severe act of vigilante justice was allegedly in response to accusations of rape and impregnation of a minor girl. The incident, which took place in the market of Badiyargarh under the Kirti Nagar block, has raised concerns about the rule of law in the region.
Police officials in the area reported that the accused individual was subsequently apprehended by the revenue police, who are in the process of transferring the case to regular law enforcement authorities.
The alleged rape case gained public attention after a video of the accused being paraded and subjected to the degrading act went viral. However, it should be noted that the authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.
Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Kirti Nagar, Sonia Pant, stated, “We have registered an FIR under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code, along with relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, based on a complaint filed by the girl’s uncle. The accused has been taken into custody by the revenue police.”
Pant also confirmed that the revenue police have initiated the process to transfer the case to the regular police force, and they have formally contacted Tehri’s senior superintendent of police, Navneet Singh, regarding the matter.
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Senior Superintendent Navneet Singh added, “Upon receiving instructions from the district magistrate, we will launch a thorough investigation into this case.”
This incident has ignited a debate over the methods employed by locals to seek justice outside the established legal system, highlighting the need for a robust and efficient law enforcement process. As the legal proceedings continue, the public will be closely watching the developments in this controversial case in Uttarakhand.