Rajasthan Govt officials held for rape of tribal

JAIPUR, June 13: Two Rajasthan Government officials were arrested last evening for allegedly raping a married Adivasi woman at Banswara on T...

JAIPUR, June 13: Two Rajasthan Government officials were arrested last evening for allegedly raping a married Adivasi woman at Banswara on Thursday night. The state government has also suspended the accused: Narain Meena, an Assistant Director in the State Insurance and Provident Fund Department, and Rajendra Meena, a doctor posted at the government primary health centre at Pipalkhoont.

Banswara district police superintendent Ponnu Chamy told The Indian Express that the police had found prima facie evidence — including the victim’s torn clothes of rape. Though a medical examination has been conducted, the report had not been received yet. The victim’s statement before a magistrate has been scheduled for Monday.

Chamy said the officials had temporarily hired the services of the woman for cooking on Thursday evening by telling her that their regular domestic help had not turned up. The woman, who is a construction worker, agreed. She told the police that after she had cooked food at Meena’sresidence in the Mohan Colony area and was about to leave the house, they overpowered her and raped her.

The victim’s husband, after waiting for her till late at night, launched a search, helped by friends. They reached Meena’s house in the early morning hours of Friday after they were informed by an eyewitness that the woman was seen entering the house. According to the FIR, the accused, when approached by the husband, denied that the woman was present in the house.