A horrific case of sexual violence and attempted suicide has shaken Betul district in Madhya Pradesh. A 21-year-old woman, after being gang-raped by two men, jumped into the Tapti River in a desperate bid to end her life. She survived the fall but sustained severe injuries, including a broken back.
The Night of Betrayal and Assault
According to the police complaint, the survivor had befriended a man identified as Shambu Navde (25). On the night of January 3, when she was alone at her home in Bhopal, Shambu arrived with a friend, Rawat Uike (22), and convinced her to elope with him. Trusting him, she packed her belongings and left.
After travelling some distance, Rawat Uike left the duo. Shambu then contacted another person, Pankaj Uike (24). The woman was then taken to a secluded forest area in Betul. There, she was allegedly raped first by Shambu and then by Pankaj.
A Desperate Leap and Survival
After the brutal assault, the two accused fled the scene, leaving the traumatised woman alone in the forest. In a state of shock and despair, she waited through the night, hoping Shambu would return. When he did not, and realising she had left home with nowhere to go, she decided to end her life.
Early on the morning of January 4, she jumped into the Tapti River. However, she landed in shallow water, which resulted in a serious fracture to her waist and back. Despite the attempt, she survived.
Police Action and Arrests
The woman's parents later took her to a hospital for treatment. The Ghoradongri police outpost received information about the incident from the hospital on January 5. A case was immediately registered.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the police arrested all three accused. Amrapali Dahat, the in-charge of Ghoradongri police outpost, stated that the accused were planning to escape to Hyderabad. They have been identified as Shambu Navde, Pankaj Uike, and Rawat Uike. The court has sent all three to jail.
The survivor, currently bed-ridden, is undergoing treatment and recuperating in the hospital. The police investigation into the case is ongoing.
