A 19-year-old college student was the victim of a horrific assault in a shocking incident that shocked the entire city of Mumbai. She was allegedly raped by two men at an apartment in the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) quarters in the Chembur neighborhood of the city. Ajit Kumar Yadav, age 26, and his friend Prabhakar Yadav, age 30, are the accused. They have been detained by the police until Monday. The terrifying event happened on the night of November 15–16, between 10 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., leaving the victim traumatized.
Image Source: News 18
The victim, a commerce student, was staying temporarily with her father, a BARC employee, who has an apartment in the building next to Maa Municipal Hospital. The Palghar district is home to her mother and sister. Ajit Kumar Yadav, the main accused, lived close to the victim’s father’s house, so he knew her, according to a report in the Free Press Journal.
Parents out, student drugged, assaulted; reports attackers to police
When Ajit’s parents went out for the evening, leaving him alone in the apartment, the chain of events leading up to the horrible crime started. Seizing the opportunity, Ajit invited his Govandi-based friend Prabhakar Yadav to accompany him. The victim went to Ajit’s house that fateful night to borrow some cooking supplies.
But rather than help, the two allegedly offered her a bottle of cold drink that had been laced with cocaine. The victim took a few sips and passed out, which allowed the attackers to alternately subject her to a terrifying ordeal.The victim did not realize what had happened to her until she was conscious again, at around 12:30 in the morning. She hurried back to her apartment, where she confided in a few close friends who lived in the same building, overcome with shock and fear. The victim finally plucked up the courage to go to the police on November 16 and formally report her attackers.
Forensic tests underway, Calls for justice rise
On the same day the complaint was filed, the police quickly took Ajit Kumar and Prabhakar Yadav into custody. After the court hearing, the two were placed under arrest and kept under police custody until November 20. The police have taken samples of the cold drink that has been spiked from the accused’s home and sent them for forensic analysis in an attempt to obtain vital evidence. When the results are available, it is anticipated that the chargesheet will include the victim’s medical examination.
Due to the seriousness of the incident, there have been calls for swift and severe legal action against the perpetrators. Concerns concerning the safety of occupants in such prominent residential complexes have been raised by the startling breach of trust that occurred within the purportedly secure boundaries of the BARC quarters. In order to prevent such disgusting crimes, citizens and advocacy groups are calling for a comprehensive investigation and highlighting the necessity of strict security measures and raised awareness.
This terrible event serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing difficulties society faces in guaranteeing the safety and well-being of its members, especially the weaker ones. The case is likely to spark conversations about the necessity of addressing systemic issues related to gender-based violence and the significance of cultivating a culture that prioritizes protecting people from such horrible acts as the legal proceedings progress.
