A 30-year-old woman who was allegedly gang raped in Bihar’s Begusarai district in June was seriously injured after being thrown from the roof of a building, police said. The incident took place in the Simaria Ghat Bind Toli locality under Chakia police station on November 10.
Police arrested a neighbour, identified as Bhongal Kumar alias Bhongal Mahto, based on the survivor’s statement. They are also searching for a second, unidentified accused.
The woman reportedly fell around 12 to 15 feet and sustained serious injuries, including to her head. She was taken to Sadar Hospital in Begusarai for treatment and has since been discharged. Police have deployed constables outside her house for security.
Begusarai Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Nikhil Kumar told The Hindu that the Chakia police team was investigating the case under the supervision of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Sadar-02.
Family Alleges Repeated Threats
The survivor’s family has alleged that people associated with the accused in the June gang rape case had repeatedly pressured them to withdraw the complaint and agree to a compromise.
Her husband said the threats had continued since the alleged rape on June 11. The family also claimed that they had previously approached the police over the intimidation.
Police said the man arrested in connection with the latest assault was not involved in the earlier gang rape case.
In a statement, Begusarai police said four accused in the June case had been arrested and sent to jail. Proceedings to attach the property of another accused had been initiated, and a reward had been announced for his arrest. Police said none of the accused in the earlier case had been released and that the trial was being expedited.
Details of the June Gang Rape Case
According to the survivor’s complaint, five men allegedly attacked her when she stepped out of her house around 11.30 pm on June 11. They allegedly locked her husband inside a room, restrained and gagged her, and took her to an isolated location, where they sexually assaulted and physically tortured her before leaving her near her home.
During her subsequent medical treatment, doctors reportedly found a cartridge-like object, a stone and a piece of wood in her private parts. She had initially been discharged on June 12 but returned to hospital five days later after complaining of pain.
A Special Investigation Team was formed to investigate the gang rape case, leading to the arrest of four accused. Chakia police station in-charge Ranjiv Ranjan was also suspended over alleged negligence of duty.
The latest incident has drawn a political response from Bihar Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, who criticised the state government over women’s safety and law and order. He questioned how the survivor could allegedly face repeated threats and another assault after reporting the gang rape.
The family has sought action on earlier intimidation complaints and an investigation into the latest attack.
