A shocking incident took place in Madhya Pradesh, India, where a man raped a woman in broad daylight on a busy footpath in Ujjain district, while passersby only watched and filmed the attack.
The gruesome crime took place last week at Koyla Phatak, one of the busiest intersections in Ujjain. According to The Indian Expressthe victim reported the assault to police around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. City Police Commissioner Om Prakash Mishra said the woman immediately contacted the police to lodge a complaint of assault.
Upon receipt of the complaint, the police immediately called a police officer to take the victim’s statement. An FIR (First Information Report) was registered after senior officers were informed. In her complaint, the victim identified the attacker as Lokesh, a man she knew.
Rapid police action
Following the report, a police team was formed to apprehend the accused. “Less than two hours after the FIR was filed, Lokesh was arrested and questioned. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime,” said CSP Mishra.
The victim underwent a medical examination and Lokesh was produced before the court, where he was remanded in police custody. Additionally, the woman’s statement was recorded in court, where she confirmed the details of the assault. Authorities also obtained video footage of the crime, which was filmed by a rickshaw driver and is now being used as evidence. The driver who filmed the incident was also subsequently arrested.
Police say Lokesh promised to marry the woman, made her drink alcohol and then attacked her on the sidewalk.
Growing concerns about security
The disturbing attack comes just weeks after national outrage over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Calcutta sparked a new debate about women’s safety in India. The Ujjain assault also bears dark similarities to the notorious 2012 Delhi gang rape case, which led to widespread protests and calls for reforms.
The recent attack has triggered a political controversy, with opposition parties criticizing the state’s law enforcement agencies under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Congress leaders pointed out that the incident was a reflection of the deteriorating law and order situation in the region, pointing out that the crime took place in the Chief Minister’s own constituency.
As public anger mounts, questions about accountability, social apathy and women’s safety continue to dominate discussions across the country.