Banaskantha, Gujarat: In a shocking incident in Banaskantha of Gujarat, a woman has alleged her husband of selling her for ₹50,000 to another man, who allegedly held her captive and sexually assaulted her for several days. A case has been lodged and seven people including the victim’s husband have been arrested.
Police said the woman went to police because she had serious accusations to make and a series of events that started after she had a series of disagreements with her husband. This is in her complaint filed against her husband, which alleged that her husband had made a deal with another person and took money of Rs. fifty crore in exchange for handing her over.
The woman was then driven to another place where she was allegedly locked up without her consent, police said. In this time, she alleges to have been beaten, threatened and sexually abused by several men. She also claimed that she could not leave and had always been in fear while being detained.
Investigators said the victim then managed to get away from the scene and summon assistance. After her complaint, local police conducted an investigation and soon the names of the people she complained about were known.
So far there are seven accused people who have been arrested. Police said that the husband of the woman is among those arrested. He allegedly had a role in that alleged transaction that got the woman entangled in police custody and abuse.
The accused are under various charges in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) such as gang rape, trafficking, wrongful confinement, assault, intimidation and other serious crimes. The investigation is continuing and further action may be taken if any evidence is found.
Police have taken a statement from the man and started taking witness statements and forensic evidence. As part of the investigation, medical examinations have also been performed. Police are trying to uncover the entire account of what happened and if others were involved in the incident.
The case has left the residents of the region in awe and has raised issues about crimes committed against women, trafficking and exploitation. The incident has raised concern for social activists about reinforcing awareness, speeding up intervention and further protective measures for those in need of protection against abuse.
According to the data of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), crimes against women are still a big problem in India. Experts have said it is easier for people to report such offences over the last few years but there remains a social stigma, fear or financial dependency to still deter many people from coming forward.
Women rights organizations have demanded stringent punishment for those responsible and extensive rehabilitation, counselling and legal assistance for the survivor.
