BJP, CPI(ML) protest in Patna over police 'inaction' on rape of 2 Dalit minors

The BJP, the opposition party in Bihar, and the CPI(ML) Liberation party, which is an ally of the ruling Mahagathbandhan government, held protests in Patna on Thursday against the 'local police's incompetence' in handling the rape case of two Dalit minor girls.

The two Dalit girls were allegedly raped in the Hinduni Badhar area after they were kidnapped. One of the girls died after sustaining fatal injuries, while the other girl is battling for her life at AIIMS in Patna.

Their families said they had gone missing on Monday and the body of one of the girls was found on Tuesday.

The Phulwari Sharif Police has not yet made any arrests in the case, angering locals and political leaders. The families of the girls alleged that the Phulwari Sharif Police didn't register a case after they approached the authorities on the day the minors went missing.

A BJP contingent led by state president Samrat Chaudhary and MP Ram Kripal Yadav visited the victim's families on Thursday expressing their solidarity. Samrat Chaudhary demanded capital punishment for those involved in the rape of the two Dalit girls.

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Talking to India Today TV, he claimed the police's lack of action led to a major crime against the minors.

"The victims’ kin were sent back by a cop on duty at Phulwari Sharif police station without getting their case registered," alleged Ram Kripal. Later, the BJP also a candle march to demand justice for the girls.

The CPI(ML) also took to the streets in the adjoining areas raising slogans against the Phulwari Sharif Police for incompetence and inaction.

Meanwhile, villagers at Hinduni Badhar attacked an investigating team from the Patna Police on Thursday after getting agitated over the lack of arrests in the case.

Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajiv Mishra said the injured girl who is undergoing treatment at AIIMS, Patna is not in the shape to have her statement recorded.

"She couldn’t identify the accused even though she told us the name," the SSP added. According to the senior cop, the girl is likely to be able to speak to the police in the next 24 to 48 hours.

The SSP also said Assistant sub-inspector for Phulwari Sharif has been suspended over the matter.

Phulwari Sharif's Assistant superintendent of Police said a case was filed under Sections 302 (murder), 376AB (Punishment for rape of woman under 12 years of age), 120b (conspiracy) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the POCSO (protection of children from sexual offences) Act.

He added that the body of the deceased girl has been sent for an autopsy.