Ujjain: India outrage as raped girl walks around seeking help

A video depicting a young girl desperately seeking help after a reported rape has ignited anger in India. The CCTV footage shows a man apparently dismissing the girl when she approaches him, provoking outrage among many who viewed the video.

However, local police in Ujjain city, Madhya Pradesh state, stated that the girl, who wandered the city for over two hours, did receive assistance from some individuals. A senior police official disclosed that a medical examination confirmed she had been raped.

Ujjain police superintendent Sachin Sharma revealed, “Five people who came in contact with the girl are being questioned.” He added that the girl was initially disoriented and unable to provide information about her whereabouts. Her age has not been officially confirmed by the police.

The short CCTV video, which circulated online, garnered condemnation from politicians and social media users alike. In the footage, the girl, seemingly bleeding, is seen walking on a road on Monday. At one point, she approaches a man who appears to gesture her away before she continues walking.

The police are examining additional CCTV footage from the area to trace the route the girl took before receiving help. She had been reported missing from Satna city, over 700 kilometers (435 miles) away from where she was found, the day before she was discovered.

Rahul Sharma, described as a Hindu priest in media reports, came to the girl’s aid. He mentioned that she was bleeding and unable to communicate effectively when he found her. Attempts to understand her situation, including providing her with a pen and paper to write, proved unsuccessful. He offered her clothing and promptly contacted the police, who took her to the hospital.

Police later reported that the girl had received medical attention and undergone surgery, without providing further details. The BBC has sought comments from the Ujjain police for additional information.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Misra stated that the girl’s condition was stable. Opposition leaders in the state have criticized the incident and raised concerns about the safety of women, while the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assured that strict actions would be taken against the perpetrators.

Yogita Bhayana, an activist who has worked with numerous rape survivors, is attempting to locate the girl’s family and gather more information about the incident. Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection Of Child Rights, also reached out to local authorities for further details.