Memories of the 2012 Delhi bus gang rape – a case that sent shockwaves around the world – are being stirred once again by a brutal assault in rural India. In the early hours of June 11th, a mother of four from Bihar was subjected to extreme brutality at her own home, with five men allegedly using a blade and inserting objects into her vagina. The harrowing details of this attack are eerily reminiscent of the Delhi bus incident, which exposed deep-seated issues of violence against women in India.
According to Soma (not her real name), who was 28 at the time of the attack, five men forcibly entered her outdoor toilet while she slept. They stripped and gagged her, tying her hands before allegedly using a blade to slash her chest and inserting objects into her vagina. Her husband, an e-rickshaw driver, initially mistook her cries for those of a stray animal but grew suspicious when he found their home locked from the outside. With the help of a neighbour, he discovered Soma in a severely injured state.
The case gained national attention after hospital officials confirmed the use of objects during the assault and subsequent medical examination revealed that a bullet casing was also used. Begusarai Superintendent of Police, Maneesh, has confirmed that three named suspects and two unidentified ones are involved, with two arrests made so far. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to apprehend the remaining perpetrators, some of whom have prior criminal records.
Soma's husband has also highlighted the challenges they faced in reporting the incident and seeking medical attention. Initially, police at a nearby station allegedly refused to file a complaint, advising them instead to seek medical help. This alleged negligence led to the suspension of Rajiv Kumar, the head of the police station, for 'negligence, apathy, and insensitivity'. A First Information Report (FIR) was eventually registered on June 13th.
Furthermore, Soma faced difficulties in receiving appropriate medical care. She was reportedly turned away from a private clinic and received only first aid at a government community health centre before being referred to a district hospital. However, she claims that the initial treatment at the district hospital was unsatisfactory, with a doctor questioning her about the rape while administering an injection. Ashok Kumar, Civil Surgeon of Begusarai, has disputed this account, stating that the hospital was informed of the gang rape on June 13th and promptly conducted a medical examination.
This disturbing case highlights the persistent concerns raised by campaigners about the inadequate support faced by women experiencing sexual assault in India, particularly in rural areas. The brutality of the attack and subsequent challenges in obtaining justice and medical care have reignited urgent discussions about women's safety and institutional responsiveness across the country.