Two persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged rape and harassment of two sisters in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur district, both of whom died by suicide after their repeated complaints to police allegedly went unaddressed.
Police on Monday arrested two accused in the alleged gang rape and suicide case involving two sisters in Jodhpur, amid mounting outrage over claims that authorities ignored repeated complaints filed by the victims.
According to police, the two arrested men are among eight accused booked in the case based on a complaint lodged by the women’s brother. Searches are underway to trace the remaining accused.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Bhopal Singh Lakhawat said the accused were being interrogated and the probe had been intensified.
The younger sister died on May 15 after allegedly consuming pesticide while atop a water tank in the accused persons’ village. Before taking the step, she alleged that she and her elder sister had been repeatedly sexually assaulted for years and that police had failed to act despite multiple complaints.
In her complaint, she also accused the men of extorting money and threatening to circulate videos of her elder sister.
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Her elder sister had died by suicide on March 20, with the family alleging that she too had faced repeated sexual assault, blackmail and threats from the same group of accused.
The younger woman’s death triggered protests by family members and villagers outside the mortuary, with demonstrators accusing police of negligence and demanding immediate arrests as well as compensation for the family.
The family claimed the younger sister had first approached Khedapa police station on April 11 alleging rape by eight men, but no action was taken for over a month despite repeated follow-ups.
On May 7, she reportedly wrote to the Superintendent of Police accusing local officers of inaction. The family further alleged that from May 10 onwards she received threatening WhatsApp calls and messages, details of which were also shared with police.
Following public criticism, the investigation has now been transferred to an Additional Superintendent of Police-rank officer.
Police said Bawdi outpost in-charge Dharmendra has been attached to the police lines pending inquiry into alleged lapses. No action has yet been announced against other officials.
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