In a shocking display of indifference, the father of two accused individuals, Shahbaz and Arbaz, seemed unfazed by the arrest of his sons in connection with a recent tragedy where a minor Hindu girl lost her life.

On the morning of September 17, Ambedkar Nagar police apprehended Shahbaz, Arbaz, and Faisal in relation to a harrowing harassment case that ended in a fatal road accident. The trio faces charges under Sections 302, 354, 298, and 304 of the IPC, coupled with relevant sections of the POCSO Act.

Sabhajeet Verma, the grieving father of the 17-year-old victim, spoke to the media and recounted how the father of Shahbaz and Arbaz reacted to his sons' arrest. Instead of expressing remorse or acknowledging the gravity of his sons' actions, he boasted in front of the villagers that he had many sons, and it wouldn't matter to him if one or two faced legal repercussions. This revelation has added to the community's distress and anger over the incident.

Earlier, the victim's father had highlighted to the media the frequent harassment his daughter endured while commuting to and from school, an issue she had brought up with her parents as well.

The tragic event occurred on September 16, when the accused individuals, who were on bikes, harassed the young girl, pulling her dupatta which resulted in her falling off her bicycle. This was followed by another one of the accused coming from behind at high speed and running over her, causing her death.

The following day, during the arrest attempt, the accused tried to escape the police, even attempting to snatch weapons from them. This led to the police taking the necessary action, resulting in Shahbaz and Faisal getting shot in the legs, and Arbaz breaking his leg while trying to flee.

A friend of the victim, who witnessed the horrifying event, narrated their ordeal to the authorities, highlighting the regular harassment they faced from Shahbaz, Faisal, and another boy, transforming their daily school route into a path of fear and intimidation.

A Dark Day in Ambedkar Nagar: Persistent Harassment Culminates in Tragedy for a Minor Hindu Girl

On a gloomy Saturday, September 16, a tragic incident unfolded in Uttar Pradesh's Ambedkar Nagar, extinguishing the young life of a minor Hindu girl. The girl was returning home from school when she met with an untimely death, the result of an escalating pattern of harassment. Shahbaz and Arbaz reportedly grabbed her dupatta, causing her to fall off her bicycle, a fall that proved fatal as Faizal ran over her with his motorcycle. The severity of their actions caught up with them as they were apprehended and charged under various sections of the IPC and the POCSO Act.

On the following day, a team from OpIndia ventured to the devastated village in Ambedkar Nagar to converse with the grieving family of the victim. During the visit, the family shed light on the relentless mental agony she had been subjected to in recent times, orchestrated by the accused. In the midst of mourning, they also recounted the girl's interests and academic triumphs, painting a vivid picture of a life full of promise, tragically cut short.

Nestled 15 kilometres away from the bustling town of Tanda, the victim's village relied on the Hirapur market for their daily necessities. When the OpIndia team arrived at the family's residence, a gathering of sombre faces and a crumbling structure welcomed them.

View of the victim’s house from the outside

Sabhajeet Verma, the heartbroken father of the 17-year-old victim, shared his agony with the team. Despite grappling with abject poverty, he nurtured his daughter's educational aspirations, harboring dreams of a prosperous future for her. Tears flowed freely as he recalled his daughter's aspirations and the shocking reality that had unfolded.

In a revelation that further complicated the narrative, Verma identified a fourth individual involved in this heinous crime, a certain Munnu, recognized as Salim's son from Arthalwa town. Overwhelmed with grief during the initial investigation, Verma had missed mentioning Munnu's involvement. A plea for justice echoed as he urged the authorities to bring Munnu, who remains elusive, to book, along with the others involved.

Labelling the incident as a calculated and premeditated act, both the sister and father of the late girl expressed a fervent desire for swift justice, pinning their hopes on the decisive action of Yogi Adityanath's administration, renowned for its no-nonsense approach to crime. The community now waits, hearts filled with sorrow and minds seeking justice, as they hope to see the machinery of law grind into action, bringing the perpetrators to task.

Sections of murder and POCSO added, Ambedkar Nagar SHO suspended

In light of the recent developments in the harrowing Ambedkar Nagar case, the local Superintendent of Police announced stern actions and modifications in the ongoing investigation. The gravity of the crime has led to an elevation of the charges, incorporating Section 302, delineating murder under the IPC, and provisions of the POCSO Act. Consequently, Hanswar police station's SHO Ritesh Kumar has been relieved of his duties, making way for a new officer to take charge of the station and spearhead the inquiry.

The OpIndia team managed to converse with the devastated elder sister of the deceased, who depicted a grim picture of the persistent harassment her sibling had been subjected to over the past few months. The accused, she recounted, were relentless in their pursuit, stalking and tormenting her younger sister continuously. A couple of months prior, the group had even audaciously arrived at their residence on bikes, instilling fear and anxiety in the family.

She narrated a distressing event where her younger sister returned home visibly frightened, having been followed from school by the accused who loitered ominously outside their residence. Despite recovering from surgery, the elder sister found the courage to confront the culprits, but they had already fled the scene.

In another distressing interview, an eyewitness and cousin of the victim revealed the spine-chilling details of the fatal day, painting a scene of terror and cruelty that seems to have become a pattern for the accused. She recalled the traumatic incident, where her cousin was deliberately unbalanced from her bicycle by the ruthless act of one of the assailants yanking her dupatta from behind. This act set the stage for the unimaginable horror that followed, as Faisal, without a shred of mercy, ran his bike over the fallen girl.

Tears flowed ceaselessly as the eyewitness recounted the horrific sight of the young girl lying gravely injured, unable to speak, with blood emanating from her mouth. The hospital later confirmed the fears of many, declaring the girl dead upon arrival. A palpable sense of anger and sadness hung in the air as the eyewitness further mentioned the accused's history of tormenting other schoolgirls in a similar manner, illustrating a disturbing pattern of predatory behaviour.

A Family Shattered: Grandfather mourns loss of beacon of hope in Ambedkar Nagar Tragedy

In a heart-wrenching interview, the 75-year-old grandfather of the deceased girl couldn't hold back his tears as he recounted the pivotal role his granddaughter played in their family. Since the passing of her mother eight years ago, the young girl had shouldered the responsibilities of the household alongside pursuing her academics. The grandfather, now bereft of his main pillar of support, bemoaned the unbearable loss, as she had taken care of him and his son tirelessly, managing everything from cooking to cleaning.

The atmosphere was laden with sorrow as the father recalled his daughter's lofty dreams of becoming a doctor to serve the community. He had harbored ambitions of supporting her educational pursuits even beyond class 12, nurturing her innate desire to help others. Her brilliance in academics was echoed by her sister, who emphasized that her untimely death had left not only a family but an entire school mourning, a testament to her bright presence and potential.

As the OpIndia team was guided through the family's humble abode, they were introduced to the vibrant yet solemn memory of a young girl who was not only a diligent student but also a skilled artist. Her room, adorned with her artwork, reflected her multifaceted talents and deep-rooted faith in her religion. A notable piece showcased a young girl wearing a cap, a vivid representation of youthful innocence, displayed alongside a poster of Goddess Laxmi. The evident meticulousness in her studies and the neat organization of her belongings were silent witnesses to the disciplined and devoted individual she was, painting a picture of a girl who embraced life with passion and reverence.

In the wake of this tragedy, a resounding cry for justice echoes through the family, unified in their demand for the ultimate punishment for the accused individuals. The depth of their anguish mirrored in the vehement calls for the death penalty, a desperate plea for retribution for a life snuffed out too soon.

The family's grief found raw and poignant expression in the grandfather's anguished declaration, wishing to witness the accused meet their end before him. Similarly, the victim's sister harbored a fierce desire for vengeance, advocating an end as brutal as the one her beloved sister had met.

Through tears and palpable anger, the family stands united in their pursuit of justice, determined to see the perpetrators pay for their heinous crimes, as they grapple with the gaping void left by the tragic departure of a promising young life.

References:

opindia.com