Tribal Woman Stripped, Paraded Naked In Rajasthan; Eight People, Including Main Accused, Detained

Rajasthan police has arrested eight people after huge uproar over the viral video of a tribal woman being stripped naked and paraded in a village in state's Pratapgarh district.

Those arrested include the husband of the victim, a 21-year-old tribal woman.

The incident, which was captured on camera, was widely criticised by various political leaders.

According to a statement, Rajasthan DGP Umesh Mishra said that ten individuals have been named in the FIR for charges including molestation, assaulting the woman, and other relevant sections.

Eight of these individuals, including the main accused, have been detained, it said, PTI reported.

The victim filed a complaint against her husband, Kanha Gameti, as well as Suraj, Beniya, Netiya, Nathu, and Mahendra.

The complaint alleges that they forcibly took her on a motorcycle and paraded her naked.

According to a police statement, the main accused in the crime, Kanha, Netiya, Beniya, and Pintu, as well as a minor, have been detained.

Additionally, Punia, Khetia, and Motilal, who were spectators of the crime, have also been apprehended.

The police have said that Kanha, Netiya, and Benia sustained injuries while attempting to flee and are currently receiving treatment at Pratapgarh district hospital.

In the statement, the police mentioned that they are actively searching for the remaining accused.

The police said that additional force has been deployed to maintain peace and order in the area.

According to the SHO Dhariyawad Peshawar Khan, the initial investigation indicates that the woman involved in the incident was in a relationship with another man.

The woman was kidnapped by her in-laws and taken to their village, where the incident took place on Thursday (31 August).

Her in-laws were upset that she was staying with another man, according to the police.

After the video of the incident went viral on the social media, BJP Mahila Morcha president Vanathi Srinivasan had slammed the Congress and I.N.D.I.A alliance for their silence on the issue.

"The incident of stripping and beating a woman in Dhariyavad tehsil, a tribal dominated area of Rajasthan is very gruesome and barbaric," she said.

"Administration and police have not taken serious steps even after 3 days of the incident," the BJP women wing's president added. "CM Ashok Gehlot is sleeping and Rahul Gandhi has not spoken a single word. The I.N.D.I.A group doing politics on women issues is also silent," she said.

"I deeply condemn it and demand strong action against the culprits. Such incidents are blot on the humanity and strictest punishment should be given to set an example," Srinivasan added.

Former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje alleged that the video of a pregnant woman being stripped in front of people was doing rounds on social media, but the administration was not aware of it.

She also appealed to people to not share the video, saying the incident has put Rajasthan to shame.

Taking congnisance of the incident, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot posted on X, “Such incidents have no place in a civilised society".

He said the accused will be arrested soon and tried in a fast-track court.