NEW DELHI: The survivor of the horrific gangrape lay silently in a bed at the AIIMS Trauma Centre, enveloped in her thoughts and grappling with the trauma of her ordeal. Outside her room, a contingent of police officers awaited any word from her that might lead them to her assailants.
It was a blind case fraught with challenges. The identity and even the number of her assaulters remained unknown, with crucial details like the time and place of the crime eluding their grasp. The woman had been discovered in a battered state at Sarai Kale Khan, in immense pain, and she was either unable or unwilling to speak about her harrowing experience. Constable Sangeeta entered the ward disguised as a social worker, intent on forming a rapport with the survivor. Following discussions with the AIIMS Trauma Centre management, the police also enlisted the help of an Odia translator posing as a nurse to assist in building trust with the victim.
The two were entrusted with the responsibility of caring for the survivor while discreetly gathering essential information about the incident. Over time, the survivor began to open up, holding up three fingers when asked how many men had assaulted her. “One of them was handicapped, and they had an auto,” she relayed to the undercover duo, also mentioning the word ‘station.’ Yet, due to her preexisting mental health challenges and the profound trauma from her ordeal, she struggled to provide additional details, such as the specific time and location of the assault.
In response to the gravity of the situation, Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Jain assembled a special task force led by DCP Ravi Kumar Singh and ACP Aishwarya Singh, deploying ten sub-teams to probe the case thoroughly. Sub-Inspector Shubham Chaudhary meticulously crafted a site plan, pinpointing over 700 government and private CCTV cameras positioned along both major and minor roads, starting from the discovery point of the woman on October 11. The investigators made significant progress when they uncovered CCTV footage showing the victim exiting the Old Delhi Railway Station waiting hall at 10:14 AM on October 10.
The investigative team diligently analyzed footage from cameras at strategic locations including Kashmiri Gate, Red Fort, Daryaganj, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Rajghat-Shantivan, Rajghat Depot Bypass, ITO, Mathura Road, PWD headquarters, DTC headquarters, Indraprastha depot, as well as various petrol and CNG stations between ITO and Sarai Kale Khan. This exhaustive effort resulted in the creation of an electronic map tracing the route possibly traversed by the survivor.
After carefully reviewing the potential route taken by the woman, over 150 autorickshaws were identified through both visible and non-visible license plate numbers. A crucial breakthrough emerged when investigators spotted an autorickshaw parked near the crime scene. The same auto was subsequently observed moving and stopping at another location.
“Here, the driver exited the vehicle and crossed the road,” DCP Singh stated. “This location enabled us to obtain a partial number plate. Following persistent efforts, we successfully identified the autorickshaw with the number DL1RAA 9327, and determined that its driver on the night of October 10-11 was Prabhu Mahto.” The registration details proved vital in tracking down the driver. An officer elaborated that Mahto’s mobile location was traced and matched the area depicted in the CCTV footage.
Eventually, sustained efforts led to the apprehension of the accused, with Mahto being arrested on October 30. Following a thorough interrogation, he assisted the police in identifying the second suspect, Pramod alias Babu, who was arrested on November 2. The third individual implicated in the crime, Mohmmad Shamshul, was taken into custody on November 4. The successful manhunt spanned a total of 21 days.
“We will ensure the accused face the harshest punishment under the law,” pledged a senior officer. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, anyone charged with involvement in gangrape faces rigorous imprisonment for a minimum of 20 years, potentially extending to life imprisonment for the duration of that person’s natural life. Additional fines may also be imposed.
(The victim’s identity remains undisclosed to safeguard her privacy in accordance with Supreme Court directives concerning sexual assault cases.)
**Interview with Crime Reporter Ravi Menon on the 2012 Delhi Gang Rape Case**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Ravi. The 2012 Delhi gang rape case, often referred to as the Nirbhaya case, left an indelible mark on the nation. Can you provide us with an overview of the initial moments of the investigation after the survivor was found?
**Ravi Menon:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the initial response was fraught with challenges. When the survivor was discovered, there was very little information to guide the investigation. She was in a highly traumatic state, and her inability or unwillingness to provide details made it extremely difficult for the police to identify the assailants.
**Interviewer:** That must have made the job of the police incredibly complex. What innovative tactics did the police employ to connect with the survivor and gather crucial information?
**Ravi Menon:** Absolutely. The police took an unconventional approach by deploying Constable Sangeeta, who posed as a social worker. They also brought in an Odia translator under the guise of a nurse to help build trust with the survivor. These strategies were designed to create a safe space for her so that she might feel comfortable enough to share her experience.
**Interviewer:** It’s heartening to hear that they made these efforts. Were there any significant breakthroughs during these initial talks?
**Ravi Menon:** Yes, there were. Over time, the survivor managed to convey vital details. She indicated there were three assailants, one of whom was handicapped and mentioned an auto—this information served as a critical lead for investigators.
**Interviewer:** Following these developments, how did the police proceed with the investigation?
**Ravi Menon:** The Joint Commissioner of Police, Sanjay Jain, established a special task force. They meticulously mapped out the area and examined over 700 CCTV cameras located along potential routes. This thorough investigation incorporated footage analysis from key locations, revealing the survivor’s movements and ultimately helping to piece together a timeline.
**Interviewer:** What impact did the findings have on the public’s perception of safety in Delhi, especially for women?
**Ravi Menon:** The case catalyzed widespread outrage and sparked national protests, calling for stricter laws against sexual violence. It shone a spotlight on women’s safety and led to significant legal and social reforms aimed at improving the situation in not only Delhi but across India.
**Interviewer:** Indeed, the case triggered a movement. As a final note, what lessons can current law enforcement agencies take from the way this investigation was handled?
**Ravi Menon:** One of the key lessons is the importance of building trust with victims, especially in sensitive cases. The need for special task forces and collaboration across departments can also facilitate more effective investigations. Lastly, utilizing technology, like CCTV footage analysis, is indispensable in modern crime-fighting.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ravi, for your insights on such a critical issue. It’s essential that we continue to reflect on these cases to advocate for change and support survivors.
**Ravi Menon:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we keep the conversation going.
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