Married Off To Rapist & Shunned By In-Laws, Odisha Girl Approaches Police For Help

Jajpur: Warped justice is as good as justice denied. The victim remains a victim. A 17-year-old girl was married off to her alleged rapist in Gobarghati area by the villagers by exchanging garlands. The girl was then sent to her in-law’s house with the accused. But the accused’s parents refused to accept her as their daughter-in-law. Som the girl gathered courage and lodged a complaint with Kalinga Nagar police.

On Monday, the victim filed an FIR against a local youth Katak Lamai accusing him of raping her. The incident reportedly took place on October 30 when the girl was returning home after attending Kali Puja festivities in the night. As per the FIR, the girl had gone to watch a cultural programme organised as part of Kali Puja celebration in the village. After the event ended, she went to have dinner hosted by the puja organisers. Since it was already late in the night, Lamai offered to give her company on the way back to her home.

On the way back home, Lamai forcibly took her to a secluded place, gagged her and raped her. He also threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident to anyone. Unfazed, the girl narrated the ordeal to her mother. The next day, the victim’s parents brought the matter to the notice of the village committee following which a meeting was convened.

The accused confessed to his crime after which the villagers reportedly married off the girl with Lamai by exchanging garlands at the meeting venue. The girl was then sent to her in-law’s house with the accused. There was another ordeal waiting for the girl here. Lamai’s parents refused to accept her as their daughter-in-law.

It was then that she lodged a complaint. Basing on the girl’s FIR, police registered a case under relevant sections of the IPC and POCSO Act and sent her for medical examination. An officer of Kalinga Nagar police station said the accused has fled the area to evade arrest. Raids are being conducted to nab the accused.