Lucknow. A heart-wrenching incident has come to light from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. The suicide of a minor student of class 11th in Kasmandi Kala area of Malihabad police station area has raised serious questions on the functioning of the police. Family members allege that the student was troubled by the molestation and torture of a young man for a long time. When they protested, the accused even beat up the student and her father. The victim’s father kept visiting the police post and police station several times, but no effective action was taken on the complaints. After the death of the student on Monday, November 2, the police swung into action and registered a case against the accused and arrested him. Kasmandi Kala Chowki in-charge Vivek Kumar has been suspended after negligence came to light in the matter.
According to the information, the girl living in Kasmandi Kala area of Malihabad was a class 11 student in the local school. Family members allege that a young man from the neighborhood was harassing her for the last several months. When the student used to go to school, the accused used to follow her and molest her. Due to this the girl started becoming mentally disturbed. The family protested against the youth’s actions several times, but it is alleged that despite this he did not stop harassing the student.
The student’s father alleges that the youth’s actions were increasing continuously. When he protested against the molestation of his daughter, the accused also beat him up. The family claims that the student and her father were attacked twice in the last five months. Even after this, no such action was taken against the accused, so that the family could be assured of safety.
According to media reports, the student’s father had complained about the attack at Kasmandi Kala police post on May 20. After this, on October 13, a complaint was also lodged regarding molestation of the daughter. The father alleges that despite both the complaints, the police did not take the matter seriously. He continued to appeal to the authorities for action, but he did not get any relief.
According to family members, the continuous harassment was affecting the mental condition of the student. She started living in fear and stress. The family was trying to console her and normalize the situation, but the alleged harassment did not end. There was chaos in the family after the news of the student’s suicide came to light on Monday afternoon. The family members are in bad condition and crying.
After getting information about the incident, the police reached the spot and started the necessary legal process. After the death of the student, the family expressed serious displeasure over the inaction of the police. He alleges that if effective action had been taken in time on the complaints given earlier, perhaps his daughter would have been alive today.
Seeing the seriousness of the matter, senior police officials took immediate cognizance. According to Lucknow Deputy Commissioner of Police Amit Anand, based on the complaint of the student’s father, a case has been registered against the accused youth under the section of abetment to suicide. Police have arrested the accused Hans Kumar. Now further legal action is being taken based on his interrogation and available evidence.
The biggest question arising in this incident is regarding the role of the police. Family members say that if her complaints had been taken care of earlier, the student would not have had to face constant fear and harassment. After alleged negligence at the police post level came to light in the matter, the officials have suspended post in-charge Vivek Kumar.
It is clear from this action of the police administration that the possible lapse in disposal of complaints has been taken seriously. However, now it is also a matter of investigation at what level action was taken on the earlier complaints of the family and under what circumstances earlier effective steps were not taken against the accused.
This incident has raised questions on the system of redressal of complaints at the grassroots level amid government claims regarding the safety of women and girls. Various schemes including Mission Shakti are being run in Uttar Pradesh for the safety of women and girls. Despite this, the allegation of not getting relief to the family members of a minor student even after repeated complaints is worrying.
Experts believe that it is necessary to take complaints like molestation, stalking and threats seriously at the initial stage itself. Especially in cases involving minors, quick police response, safety of the family and proper assistance to the victim are extremely important. Timely intervention can help prevent incidents of harassment from escalating.
This incident in Malihabad has once again raised the question as to why the victim’s family could not be assured of safety despite filing a complaint. After the arrest of the accused and suspension of the outpost in-charge, now people’s eyes are fixed on further investigation and action.
At present the police is investigating all aspects of the case. It is being ascertained what steps were taken on the earlier complaints made by the student and her family. At the same time, demands are being raised to provide justice to the family members and to take action against those found responsible in this case.
