Chargesheet filed within 45 hrs in Jabalpur rape case

The outburst of emotions in the aftermath of the Delhi gangrape case seems to have its desired effect on those responsible for law and order situation with the police in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district filing a chargesheet in a rape case within 45 hours of the crime and that too against a powerful person.

"Sihora police station completed the investigations soon after filing of an FIR in the rape case involving a nine-year-old girl and filed the charge sheet within 45 hours of heinous crime," Inspector General Jabalpur range, Madhu Kumar told PTI.

"We have not just arrested the accused Congress corporator, Mohammad Gaus Azad on the charge of raping a minor but also collected credible evidence against him to ensure his conviction," the IG said.

"The case has been handed over to a fast track court for trial and I am hopeful that the decision too would come soon in the matter, may be in a month or two" he said.

Azad, a corporator from Sehora town, about 40 km away from Jabalpur district headquarter, had allegedly raped a nine-year-old girl after entering the house of the victim around 7.30 pm on January 13, taking advantage of the darkness as the power connection of the house was snapped due to non-payment of electricity bill, police sources said.

At the time of the incident, a lantern was lit in the house while the victim's father had gone to a nearby market while her brother was sleeping with her, police said.

Azad then allegedly raped the little girl and when she started crying in pain, he escaped from the spot threatening her with dire consequences if she revealed the incident to anyone, police said.

However, upon hearing the screams of the victim, neighbours reached the spot but Azad managed to escape after which the matter was reported to the police following which a case was registered under section 376(2)(f) (rape of girl under twelve years of age), 450 (criminal trespass) and other sections of the IPC, Sihora Police Station in-charge, Upendra Dixit said.

In a swift action, police arrested Azad on January 14 as the girl recognised him as he was a well-known figure in the town and also she saw him in the light of a lantern.

After collecting credible evidence from the spot including injury marks on the girl's body caused by the accused with a ring, a lantern and other vital things besides the initial forensic report, the charge sheet was prepared and filed within 45 hours of the crime in the court, the police said.

The court has referred the matter to a Fast Track Court for speedy trial of the case.

However, taking into account the seriousness of the issue, Jabalpur District Congress (Rural) President, Rupendra Patel sacked Azad from the party.