In a chilling incident that underscores the alarming security lapses in public institutions, a 15-year-old minor girl fell victim to a brutal gang rape at the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This horrifying event marks the fourth such assault in the district in less than a day, highlighting a disturbing trend of violence. According to the local police, two men, identified as contract workers at the hospital, have been detained in connection with the assault.

On the evening of 25th August, the young woman visited the hospital after a domestic dispute with her mother. It was here, in the supposed safety of a government facility, that she encountered the two men. The police reported that these individuals engaged her in conversation and then deceitfully led her to a secluded area behind the hospital's biomedical waste dumpyard where they committed the heinous act.

The aftermath of the assault was equally traumatic for the victim's family, who, unaware of her whereabouts, launched an extensive search. Their efforts led them to file a missing person report at the Soorasagar police station on 26th August. The victim, who was found near the hospital canteen and subsequently brought to the police station, recounted her ordeal to the authorities. The diligent work of the police enabled them to scrutinize the CCTV footage from the hospital, which played a crucial role in the swift identification and detention of the accused, both of whom were part of the hospital's sanitation staff under a contractual agreement.

On 27th August, following a distressing incident, the young victim was subjected to a medical evaluation arranged by the police, confirming the assault and allowing for her testimony to be formally documented. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Rajarshi Raj Verma detailed the preceding events, beginning with a report filed by the minor girl's father. He stated on the night of 25th August, her father alerted the Soorsagar police station, expressing concerns that his daughter had been misled by an unidentified individual. "While we had been searching for the minor girl, we received information that she was present in the canteen of MG Hospital. Police rushed to the spot and took her to the police station," mentioned the official.

Upon being found, the minor girl disclosed to the authorities that she had left home on the evening of 25th August following a reprimand from her mother. In a chilling revelation made just hours later, she recounted being sexually assaulted by two individuals at a secluded spot on the hospital premises that same night. "On this information, a team rushed to the hospital for spot verification and identification of the accused. We scanned CCTV grabs and found the two accused, who were identified by the minor girl," Verma noted.

Investigations quickly revealed that the accused were contract sanitary employees at the hospital. As per the police's findings, the perpetrators had lured her with food to a remote area near the inmates’ cells where the crime was perpetrated. "The victim’s statement will be recorded before a magistrate, after which an identification parade will be conducted to confirm the suspects. Based on the results of this process, the suspects will be formally arrested," the DCP informed. Additionally, a forensic team was deployed to the scene to gather vital evidence, marking a significant step in building a comprehensive case against the accused and ensuring a meticulous judicial process.

In the aftermath of the traumatic incident, legal actions have been swiftly initiated. A case of gang rape has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, highlighting the severity of the crime and the commitment to pursuing justice. Dr. Fateh Singh Bhati, the superintendent of Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, addressed some of the systemic failures that may have contributed to the incident. "Measures are being taken to enhance security, including installing additional lights," he explained, acknowledging that the hospital's environment needed urgent improvements. Dr. Bhati further clarified the employment status of the suspects, stating, "None of the two accused was now employed or on contract at their hospital. However, one of them might have had a contract job there in the past."

On the investigative front, significant progress has been made. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Rajarshi Raj Verma confirmed that on Tuesday afternoon, two suspects were detained for questioning after being identified from hospital CCTV footage. Reinforcing the procedural rigor of the investigation, he reiterated, "The victim’s statement will be recorded before a magistrate, after which an identification parade will be conducted to confirm the suspects. Based on the results of this process, the suspects will be formally arrested." This detailed account by the DCP underscores the meticulous steps being undertaken to ensure that the suspects are correctly identified and held accountable under the law.

Dr. Bhati also reiterated the hospital's immediate response to the incident regarding safety measures. "Measures are being taken to enhance security, including installing additional lights," he stated, indicating ongoing efforts to prevent such occurrences in the future by improving the hospital's infrastructure and surveillance capabilities.

The distressing episode at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jodhpur has unfolded against a backdrop of national dismay following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor in West Bengal, amplifying the public and political outcry. This incident has sparked a vehement political debate, with the opposition Congress vociferously criticizing the Rajasthan government's handling of the rising number of rape cases in the state.

Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot expressed his condemnation through a post on X, highlighting the broader implications of the incident. "The gang rape of a minor girl at Mahatma Gandhi Government Hospital in Jodhpur is yet another example of the growing lawlessness in Rajasthan," he stated. Gehlot criticized the local administration for what he perceives as their negligence, "It seems neither the public representatives nor the police in Jodhpur are paying any attention to law and order, which is emboldening criminals day by day." His remarks underscore a deep concern over the deterioration of safety and governance in the region.

Gehlot also pointed fingers at the ruling BJP for their governance approach, accusing them of "misgovernance" and stating that it has adversely affected Jodhpur, traditionally regarded as a "peaceful and crime-free environment." This accusation aims to hold the current administration accountable for the perceived escalation in criminal activities and the erosion of public safety.

In response to these allegations, BJP spokesperson Mukesh Pareek addressed the concerns raised about the incident. "It is an unfortunate incident. The government will take necessary steps against the culprits. We are also putting efforts to reform the law-and-order situation which was completely devastated during the Congress rule," he asserted. Pareek’s statement not only acknowledges the gravity of the situation but also deflects some of the blame onto the previous administrations, suggesting that the issues with law and order predate the current government.

Three similar rape cases in 24 hours jolt Jodhpur

Jodhpur is reeling from a disturbing wave of sexual assaults reported within a 24-hour span, each involving young female victims, which has triggered widespread concern and demanded immediate law enforcement attention. On the night of 27th August, a one and half-year-old child in the Boranada police station area was reportedly gang-raped by two of her neighbors. The crime came to light thanks to the prompt action of a local youth who reported the incident to the police using the child helpline. Authorities quickly responded, engaging with the victim’s family and apprehending the accused, who were subsequently interrogated.

In a separate but equally appalling case, another underage young girl faced sexual violence in the Mahamandir area of Jodhpur. According to her family's report to the police, she had been attending the Janmashtami celebrations on the night of 26th August. It was during this festive occasion that a youth took advantage of the situation to commit the assault. Traumatized, the victim returned home and shared the harrowing details of her experience with her family, who then took the crucial step of formally reporting the incident to the authorities.

Adding to the grim tally, another distressing report emerged from the Vivek Vihar police station area, where a young girl accused her live-in partner of rape. Although they shared a home in what was supposed to be a trusting relationship, she alleged that he exploited their living arrangement to sexually assault her. This accusation sheds light on the complexities and vulnerabilities inherent in personal relationships that can sadly lead to instances of sexual abuse.

These consecutive reports not only cast a shadow over the city’s safety but also expose the urgent need for robust protective measures and community vigilance to safeguard vulnerable populations, especially women and young girls. The local police have been mobilized to address these incidents, reflecting both the severity of the crisis and the community's demand for swift and effective justice to deter such heinous crimes in the future.