On September 11, a deeply disturbing incident occurred in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district, involving two Major-rank Army officers and their two female friends who were attacked while on a leisurely picnic. The officers, currently undergoing training at the Army War College in Mhow, had ventured to the Jam Gate area when they were ambushed by a group of six armed men brandishing pistols, knives, and sticks.
The attackers subjected the victims to a brutal assault, forcibly taking their wallets and other valuables. Following the assault, the miscreants took one officer and one of the women hostage, demanding a ransom of Rs 10 lakh for their release. The remaining officer and woman were sent away to collect the ransom money.
Upon their return, the released officer immediately reported the harrowing incident to his Commanding Officer, prompting a swift response from the police. Despite their efforts, the attackers managed to escape before law enforcement arrived at the scene. The victims were subsequently transported to Mhow Civil Hospital, where medical examinations confirmed injuries on the officers and revealed that one of the women had been subjected to a gang rape.
The police have filed a case under sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) related to loot, dacoity, rape, and the Arms Act. Two suspects have been apprehended, and ten investigative teams have been formed to locate and arrest the remaining perpetrators. Indore Police Superintendent Hitika Vasal stated that an FIR has been registered, and efforts are underway to capture the remaining accused. The woman's statement is still pending, which will guide further actions and investigations.
The incident has elicited strong reactions from political figures. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticized the Madhya Pradesh government, labeling the state's law and order situation as "almost non-existent" and expressing alarm over the increasing incidence of crimes against women under BJP governance. Priyanka Gandhi echoed these concerns, describing the gang rape and a separate incident involving a woman's body found on a highway in Uttar Pradesh as "heart-wrenching" and highlighting the pervasive issue of women's safety across the country.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath also condemned the state government's handling of the situation, asserting that law and order in the state had "completely collapsed." This incident has triggered widespread outrage and intensified scrutiny of the state government’s response to the growing problem of crime and women's safety. The case continues to garner significant media attention, reflecting broader concerns about security and justice in the region.
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