Police Nirvana

In a recent case of alleged rape and murder of two minors, a UP police officer revealed the names of the victims, violating a Supreme Court order against such acts. Many news outlets also published the names

- Sujit Bhar

IF the Hathras tragedy promised to remain a prime example of bureaucratic apathy and bungling, especially in Uttar Pradesh, more was in store for the poor and the downtrodden. On November 16, bodies of two minor girls were recovered from a pond in a village in the Fatehpur district of the state. They were sisters belonging to the Dalit community. When it comes to Uttar Pradesh, such news doesn’t even raise eyebrows today. However, in this case, there has been a twist.

The family of the victims has alleged that it was murder after a failed rape bid. There has been no confirmation, but the dark shadow of rape and consequent murder is already there. The bodies of the young girls have been sent for post-mortem, and before the full report is available, there is little one can do but wait.

Meanwhile, though, has come the bold and nonchalant statement from ASP Rajesh Kumar, declaring to the media—news published in several outlets—the names of the victims, despite a pending complaint of possible rape. Most news outlets (not India Legal) published the names of the unfortunate girls, without a thought as to how it could impact the family, the memory of the innocent girls and the Dalit community as a whole. As it seems, the overall system has been desensitised towards rape, towards any POCSO crime and towards any crime in general. It does not touch any nerve, does not make one feel ashamed.