Rajasthan govt recommends CBI probe in Alwar rape case even as district police confident of breakthrough

The Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government’s decision to recommend a CBI probe into the alleged rape of a differently-abled girl in Alwar is yet another instance of the state acting proactively in such instances of heinous crimes.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the CM during which the ongoing probe into the incident by the Alwar district police was reviewed.

The 14-year girl was found bleeding on a bridge on the night of January 11 and was taken to the Alwar hospital. Later, she was shifted to Jaipur where doctors performed surgery for three hours to save her life.

On hearing about the incident, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi had spoken to the Chief Minister and inquired about her condition. She had also spoken to the father of the girl and assured her all help and justice, expressing confidence that the culprits would be arrested soon.

The BJP had termed the incident as another ‘Nirbhaya case’. Its spokesperson Sambit Patra had highlighted the incident on his Twitter handle while the president of its state unit Satish Poonia had formed a three-member committee and dragged Priyanka Gandhi into the controversy. Its Rajya Sabha member Kirori Lal Meena had staged a demonstration outside the hotel where Priyanka was staying while she was on a personal trip to Ranthambore in Sawai Madhopur district.

Chief Minister Gehlot had condemned the BJP for politicizing the case. He said the BJP was indulging in politics even while the girl was being operated upon in hospital. He said this stance of the BJP leaders led by Poonia had irked the family of the victim.

The matter is being investigated by the Alwar police with its Superintendent of Police Tejaswani Gautam herself leading an investigation. No arrests have been made, but the SP is said to be optimistic about a breakthrough.

A major impediment is the fact that the girl is unable to narrate the incident as she is deaf and dumb.

The state government has announced financial help of Rs 3.5 lakh to the family of the victim and the state govt is bearing the cost of her treatment in hospital.

State Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Tikaram Juli, who hails from Alwar district, has said that while the incident is deplorable, the BJP was morally wrong in politicizing the issue. He said the police has interrogated several persons and is hopeful of nabbing the persons involved in the heinous act. He said the state would provide free education to the victim and her family members would be provided with contractual jobs.

Rajasthan has over the past three years recommended a CBI probe to the Union Home Ministry in three incidents. This includes a case of alleged suicide by police inspector Vishnu Dutt Bishnoi who was posted as Circle Inspector in Rajgarh police station and alleged encounters of gangsters Kamlesh Prajapati by Barmer police and Lovely Kandara in Jodhpur respectively.