Vinod Devi (35) w/o Brahamadat, SC (Medhbal) is a resident of Hejampura village, Jhunjunu. Since her husband went abroad for a job, she has been living with her Mother-in-law (Sri Godavari) and two of her children (Somu & Monu).

On the night, on 02/07/2007, while Vinod Devi was sleeping with her mother-in-law and two kids around 1.30 a.m., Giridhari Gujjar (35) s/o Nathu Gujjar, Caste-Gujjar of the same village, entered into the room of Vinod Devi.  He approached her, removed her Lehenga(Dress), and attempted to rape her.  Startled, she got up from her bed and started to shout. Hearing her voice, her Mother-in-law woke up and both of them tried to catch the man, but he abusing them with their caste name and warned them that he would kill both of them if they kept shouting.  Hearing his voice, Vinod recognized him as Giridhar Gujjar.  He left and she called all her neighbours for help, but they could not find him.

 After this incident Giridhar (the perpetrator) started threatening them that he would kill them if they filed any case against him.  After some days, Giridhar’s father Sri. Nathu Gujjar went to the village people and apologized for his son’s misdeed and said that his son would not commit the same mistake anymore. Then all the village leaders (Seduram, Malaram, Sajjanram, & Chandagi Gujjar [Uncle of the perpetrator]) came to Vinod’s house and told her to compromise. They even warned her that if she would not compromise then she will be socially boycotted from the village. Having no alternative, Vinod Devi agreed to compromise.

 On 14/07/07, Suman, Co-sister of Vinod and a social activist, came to her home. After coming to know about this incident she took Vinod to Bagad Police Station and filed a complaint against Giridhar Gujjar. On 15/07/07, the police came for the investigation. The village leaders came to her again and threatened her that she must take money from the perpetrator (as a bribe to remain silent) or she will not be allowed to stay in the village. Then Vinod (the victim) said, “I am already insulted so now I don’t want to compromise.”  Currently, Vinod and her family are in a very great fear because all the villagers are against them, including the Police.

Fulwanti w/o Laxman is r/o Tal-Morshi, Dist. Amravati, belongs to Gond (SC) caste. On 01/07/07 evening at about 5pm the victim was working in the field of the perpetrator, while her husband went to a flour mill in village. Taking the advantatage of her helplessness & loneliness the perpetrator forcibly took the victim to his hut & committed rape.

The crime is registered in Mahuli police station against the accused person on 13/08/2007, No. 29/07, u/s 376, 506 IPC & 3(1)(xii) of SC/ST (PoA) Act. The accused was arrested and now released on bail. The government has approved an amount of Rs.25000 as compensation to the victim but so far she has not received from social welfare department. The case has been acquitted on 25/01/08 because of lack of evidence.

Case in Brief

Back Ground:

Uma Devi, aged 7 years, native of Malagavelli village, Aaluru Mandal, Kurnool district belongs to SC Madiga caste.  Her family has migrated to Chilamakooru village in Erraguntla mandal, Kadapa district as they could not find work in their village.  They were working in ICL Cement Factory as daily labour.  They are residing in the barrack of the same factory.  

Brief Facts:

On 30th June 2007, at around 18:00 hours, the workers from ICL Cement Factory have come from work.  Uma Devi’s parents have also returned from work and were at home cooking food. Uma Devi and two other children went out of the barrack for playing.  They went near the Security Guard’s room.  There, K Anjaneyulu, working as security guard has seen the children playing and called Uma Devi saying that he would give chocolates and jaggery.  She believed his words and went with him.  He gave her chocolates and took her into bushes.  There he took out jaggery and put in her mouth.  Stunned by that behaviour, she said that she doesn’t want jaggery and tried to go away.  But he forcefully pushed her down and raped her.  She started shouting and so he left her there and went away.  Uma ran to her house and informed her aunt Rogappagaari Malleshwari.  Malleshwari went to the room of Anjaneyulu and questioned him why he raped Uma.  Anjaneyulu abused them in the name of caste using filthy language.  He threatened that he would rape not just that child but even her elders and kills them.  

Next day, i.e., on 1st July 2007, Malleshwari along with Uma and other family members went to the Erraguntla PS and complained.  An FIR No. 98/07 was registered u/s 376 of IPC and 3(1)(xi) of SC/ST (PoA) Act.  

DSS Intervention:

• DSS team on receiving the information, immediately conducted fact finding
• Represented for inclusion of Section 3(1)(xii) of SC/ST (PoA) Act