The Tribune, January 7, 2005

Girl ‘sold’ by husband rescued from rapists
Sunit Dhawan
Tribune News Service

Hisar, January 6
A 22-year-old girl of the Surya Nagar area in the city was allegedly gangraped by some persons of Badsi village, near Hansi, to whom she had been “sold” by her husband. The victim was not only sexually abused, but also forced to work as a slave and was mercilessly beaten up on several occasions.

The girl, accompanied by her mother, Devi, narrated her horrific tale to this correspondent here today. The girl’s father, Kushal, had died some time ago. Since then, her uncle, Subhash, had been looking after the girl and her mother. After the death of her husband, Devi has been working as a domestic help. She, with the help of Subhash, married her daughter to Om Prakash Sharma of the 12-Quarter area in the city. However, about three months after their marriage, Sharma allegedly took her to Badsi village and ‘sold’ her for Rs 30,000 to Krishan and Ram Chander through Pala.

The girl alleged that Krishan and Ram Chander kept her in their custody and raped her.The girl, who was in tears, alleged that she was also forced to work as a slave and beaten up on several occasions. On being asked why did she not try to escape, she said she always remained under a strict vigil. She alleged that she was repeatedly raped by the accused. The hapless girl said she was threatened with dire consequences in case she raised the alarm. Devi said when she came to know of the episode, she went to the house of Om Prakash, but only to discover that he had left it. She went to Badsi village, but was shooed away by the accused.

Following this, Devi approached the district administration and the local police authorities through a lawyer. Taking cognisance of the matter, a police party was dispatched to the village. Devi said the police rescued her daughter from the clutches of the accused. The girl remained in police custody for a few days, after which she was sent to her mother’s place. A medical examination of the girl would be carried out. The girl and her daughter today lodged a complaint with the Inspector-General of Police (Hisar range), Mr Resham Singh. Devi alleged that they were still receiving threats by the accused to withdraw the complaint. Nonetheless, the brave girl and her hapless mother were determined to pursue their case and hoped that they would get justice.