Three Migrant labourers from Punjab were detained on Saturday (24/06/2023) for gang-raping a 50-year-old tribal woman and then killing her by breaking her neck when she threatened to go to the police. The crime took place in Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh.
Image Source: Media Source
The crime took place in the Pipariya region on a farm, approximately 150km from Bhopal. The accused hailed from Patiala, Punjab, and used to visit the area regularly. They used to work on a contractual basis for local farmers. SP Gurukaran Singh said that the accused lived in small houses on the farm.
The preliminary police investigation states that on 22nd June 2024, all three accused were enjoying alcohol when the woman happened to pass by. Suspects Hardeep Singh and Jagmel Singh alias Rinku, pulled her into a corner of the field and raped her one by one. The woman tried fighting back when the third accused Darshan Singh forced himself.
It was Darshan Singh who fractured her neck after raping her, out of fear that she would complain to the police and get all three of them arrested.
Image Source: News Source.
It was only on the next morning that the crime came to light after a farmer found the body in the field. During the initial interrogation, the accused admitted to the crime but pleaded that the intention was not murder. All three accused have been remanded in jail. Charges of gang rape have been levied against all three accused and additionally, Darshan Singh has been charged with murder. The victim had a Schedule background and thus, all three accused also face charges under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act as well.
