11-year-old’s alleged rape, murder in Karauli: Congress MPs, MLAs rally behind Kirodi Lal Meena, seek CBI probe in case

Congress MP from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur Harish Meena, Karauli-Dholpur (SC) MP Bhajan Lal Jatav, Gangapur (Sawai Madhopur) MLA Ramkesh Meena, Todabhim (ST – Karauli) MLA Ghanshyam Meher, Bamanwas (ST – Sawai Madhopur) Indra Meena, Hindaun (SC – Karauli) Anita Jatav, and Rajgarh – Laxmangarh (ST – Alwar) Mangelal Meena, among other Congress leaders, reached the minister’s residence on Friday.

On May 9 this year, an 11-year-old hearing and speech impaired tribal girl in Karauli was allegedly raped and set on fire. She succumbed to her burn injuries 11 days later leading to a public outcry. However, police investigation said she wasn’t raped and had set herself on fire following differences with her mother. Investigation had also revealed that she had been poisoned by her uncle in connivance with her parents, who feared that she might expose them. Subsequently, the girl’s parents and uncle were charge-sheeted by the police for her murder and are currently in jail.

On Thursday, the development in the case was discussed point by point with the Sangharsh Samiti, with Kirodi Meena saying that the Samiti had doubts in the police investigation. “Today, when the public representatives came to my residence with regards to this case, I spoke to the Chief Minister regarding the seriousness of the matter and have sought time for a discussion of the family members, Sangharsh Samiti, MPs and MLAs with him, in which he will be made aware of the entire situation regarding the murder and a high-level investigation will be demanded.”

“People of the society and public representatives believe that the investigation done by the police in the case is half-hearted. We will meet the Chief Minister and put the matter before him. Everyone will try to get this case investigated by the CBI, so that there is no confusion,” Kirodi Meena told reporters.

The minister said when everyone is demanding a CBI inquiry into the case, it should be recommended to make things crystal clear.

“No atrocities will be tolerated on SCs and STs in our government. I am in favour of every justified demand raised for justice. I am always with the truth,” he said.

“We are rising above politics and demanding justice for the girl. People are not satisfied with the police investigation and there is anger among the people of the society. CBI inquiry should be ordered so that the anger in the society (over the incident) ends,” Ramkesh Meena said.

In May, police officials had said that the FIR had no mention of rape and that “the girl’s statement too did not mention anything.”

As per the FIR lodged on May 11, the girl’s parents had stated that their daughter was playing near their home around 10 am when they heard her screams and rushed out. “About 100 metres from home, we spotted her, without clothes, crying in pain. She could not speak so through gestures she indicated that two people set her on fire and fled towards the railway line.”

The couple claimed they rushed her to a government hospital which, after initial treatment, referred her to SMS Hospital in Jaipur. The FIR was lodged against unknown persons under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 34 (criminal act done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all).

With PTI inputs