Bihar: Woman gang raped in Begusarai, accused still at large
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A woman in Bihar's Begusarai district was allegedly gang raped and subjected to extreme physical brutality by five men on the night of 11 June, triggering widespread outrage and prompting police to launch a forensic investigation. Despite more than a week having passed since the alleged assault, no arrests have been made as of 18 June.
What Allegedly Happened
According to officials, the incident took place within the jurisdiction of the Chakiya police station. The woman had stepped out of her home to use the toilet when she was allegedly intercepted by the five men, who forcibly dragged her to a secluded location, tied her hands and legs with her own clothes, and gang raped her. The accused reportedly also inserted a cartridge, wood, and a sharp-edged object into her body.
The victim was taken to a local hospital on 11 June and discharged the following day. However, when her pain intensified five days later, she was readmitted to Sadar Hospital, Begusarai for further examination. Family members say subsequent tests and an ultrasound revealed foreign objects inside her body, which doctors later removed during treatment.
Family Alleges Police Inaction
The victim's family has levelled serious allegations of negligence against local police, claiming officers turned them away when they first attempted to file a complaint. The family further alleged that some of the accused had previously attempted to sexually assault the woman approximately three months earlier, but no effective action was taken at that time either. This is not an isolated pattern — delayed police response in sexual assault cases in rural Bihar has drawn repeated criticism from rights groups.
Investigation Under Way
Anand Kumar Pandey, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Sadar Begusarai, said continuous raids are being conducted to apprehend the accused. He assured that any police personnel found to have been negligent during the initial response would face strict disciplinary action. Special teams have been constituted, and the victim's statement has been formally recorded.
Begusarai Civil Surgeon Ashok Kumar confirmed that a team of female doctors, headed by the Deputy Superintendent of Sadar Hospital, has been formed to examine all medical aspects of the case. He noted that the exact circumstances surrounding the medical findings would become clear only after the committee submits its report.
Current Status
As of 18 June, the victim remains under medical supervision at Sadar Hospital. Investigators say they are relying on the victim's statement, medical evidence, and forensic findings to identify and build a case against those responsible. Authorities have assured a speedy trial once arrests are made. The case has drawn attention to systemic gaps in first-response policing in Bihar's rural districts and the urgent need for accountability when initial complaints are allegedly dismissed.