What We Know So Far About Ujjain Rape Case: Victim Probably From Satna, Locals Helped Partially, Auto Driver Arrested

Sexual assault was confirmed in the initial medical examination of a 12-year-old girl who was seen partially unclothed and bleeding in CCTV footage while pleading for assistance on the streets of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.

The girl underwent surgery in Indore on Wednesday (27 September), and her condition is reported to be critical but stable.

Who is she?

Exact age of the girl is not known yet. However, it is determined that she belongs to another district of the state, probably Satna, contrary to previous reports linking her to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.

However, the police in Satna are awaiting confirmation from the victim's family, as they are investigating whether she matches the details of a missing person's report filed on 25 September in Jaitwara police station.

The victim's identity remains uncertain as she couldn't provide her name or address accurately. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is actively conducting further inquiries into the incident.

Shivesh Singh Baghel, Additional Superintendent of Police in Satna, revealed that a missing person's report was filed about a girl, approximately 13 years old, who was wearing a school uniform.

The girl is reported to have cognitive challenges based on her family's report. Police, suspecting a connection between the rape survivor and the missing girl, sent a team to Ujjain with the victim's family for identification. Legal action will follow if the victim is positively identified.

Did nobody help?

Many reported yesterday that the girl walked 8 km for around 2.5 hours and nobody came to help. Contrarily, Ujjain police chief Sachin Sharma stated that people did provide assistance, offering a total of Rs 120.

"There were mixed responses. People in the localities she passed through had helped her. Some gave her Rs 50, others gave Rs 100. She crossed a toll booth on the way. The staff there gave her money and some clothes. At least seven-eight people tried to help," clarified the officer in response to allegations that locals refused aid.

CCTV footage captured a distressing scene where a man dismissed the young girl, partially unclothed after the assault. Eventually finding help at an ashram, a priest provided her with clothes and alerted the police. The law enforcement arrived 20 minutes later, and she was swiftly taken to a hospital.

Addressing concerns about the priority of medical attention over cash, Officer Sachin Sharma explained, "People may have had reservations. But financially, they tried to help her as much as they could." He further noted that the girl, while not explicitly seeking help, approached people, expressing fear of someone following her.

Investigation

The police have taken an autorickshaw driver into custody in connection with the rape. Authorities have found blood stains on the passenger seat of the detained man's autorickshaw.

According to Aaj Tak, the auto driver is 38-year-old and his name is Bharat Soni. He was arrested from Neelganga area.

 "We have found several technical pieces of evidence in relation to the case and several new CCTV footages have been recovered based on which four more people who had come in contact with her while she was roaming in Ujjain were detained," SP Sharma told TOI.

An FIR has been registered at Mahakal police station and an investigation into the incident is underway. Following widespread public outrage, MP Home Minister Narottam Mishra announced SIT to thoroughly probe the heinous crime.