A local Samajwadi Party functionary, Mohammad Moid Khan, and his aide were arrested for allegedly gang-raping a 12-year-old girl in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The girl's mother has claimed that Samajwadi Party leaders offered her money to settle the case, but she refused to comply, seeking justice instead.
The incident has caused a significant uproar, with various political parties and leaders weighing in on the matter. The mother of the survivor, in an exclusive interview with India Today TV, stated that a local Samajwadi Party leader, Mohammed Rashid, who serves as the Bhadarsa Nagar Panchayat Chairman, offered her money in an attempt to persuade her to withdraw the complaint against Moid Khan. She referred to Rashid as "chairman" and indicated that he tried to bribe her to settle the case.
The alleged crime occurred when the girl, who was employed at Moid Khan's bakery, was taken to the fields by Moid Khan and his employee, Raju Khan, where they raped her. The assault came to light after the girl was found to be pregnant during a medical checkup, prompting an investigation. This has been the first substantial action taken against Moid Khan in years, despite his long history of criminal activities and the significant political influence he wielded in the area, which had deterred local governments and law enforcement from acting against him.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and state police officials have promised a thorough probe and strict action against the perpetrators. The mother has also requested financial assistance from the government. Meanwhile, a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader, Vishwanath Pal, who visited the family, reported that the girl's mother had been pressured by some individuals to compromise on the case. Pal assured her that justice would be served and that she should not succumb to any threats or pressure.
The police have confirmed that Moid Khan and Raju Khan not only raped the girl two months ago but also recorded the act. The BJP and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have highlighted Moid Khan's affiliation with the Samajwadi Party, noting his association with Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad's team. However, the Samajwadi Party, led by Akhilesh Yadav, has distanced itself from the accused and called for justice for the survivor.
On Sunday, Akhilesh Yadav urged the court to order protection for the Ayodhya rape survivor considering the "sensitivity" of the case. He also emphasized that those attempting to politicize the issue should not be allowed to succeed. His remarks have sparked controversy, particularly his call for a DNA test of the accused men to establish their guilt.
In addition to the criminal case, authorities have begun demolishing various properties that Moid Khan had reportedly seized over the years. His influence had been cultivated over two decades through his connections to powerful figures in the Samajwadi Party. He was particularly close to Mohammed Rashid, the former chairman of the Bhadrasa Municipal Council, whose father Mohammed Ahmed also held significant influence.
One of the most notable incidents linked to Moid Khan occurred on October 24, 2012, during the Durga Puja procession in Bhadrasa. A communal riot broke out, resulting in an attack on the Hindu procession and the murder of a man named Bhola Gupta. Moid Khan, along with Mohammed Ahmed, was accused of inciting the riot and murder. Although Moid was jailed following an FIR, his influence was so profound that the Bhadrasa police post reportedly used to operate from his residence.
In 2012, leveraging his close ties with Mohammed Ahmed, Moid Khan became the municipal president of the Samajwadi Party, a position he continues to hold. Under Ahmed's protection, Moid began seizing government and poor people's lands. Despite his limited formal education, having only attended a madrasa, Moid amassed considerable wealth and influence. A shopping complex housing a private bank, identified by the Revenue Department for demolition due to illegal occupation of government land, also reportedly belonged to a relative residing abroad.
Following Moid's recent arrest, several Dalit families have come forward, accusing him of land seizures. The district administration is currently investigating his properties, with suspicions that Moid has invested his relatives' overseas earnings into various assets. Properties under his and his associates' names are now under scrutiny.
This case has underscored the ongoing challenges of political influence and corruption in addressing crimes against minors and has drawn widespread attention and demands for justice from various quarters. The public and political reaction to the case highlights the complexities and deep-rooted issues within the political and judicial systems in handling such sensitive matters, particularly when influential figures are involved.
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