A 28-year-old woman in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore has accused her stepfather of rape and assault, in an incident that has raised serious concerns about domestic violence and safety within families, police said on Thursday.
The complaint was registered at the Tukoganj police station, where the survivor alleged that the accused, identified as Rakesh, subjected her to physical abuse before sexually assaulting her the following day. According to her statement, the incident began on the night of May 6, when the accused allegedly returned home in an inebriated state and began verbally abusing her without provocation.
The woman told police that the situation escalated quickly, with the accused physically assaulting her during the altercation. Fearing social stigma and family repercussions, she chose not to report the incident immediately and tried to defuse the situation.
The following morning, when she was alone at home, the accused allegedly forced her into another room and sexually assaulted her, threatening her to remain silent. She further claimed that he attempted to assault her again shortly after, but she managed to escape and sought refuge at her sister’s residence.
After recounting the ordeal to her sister, the woman gathered the courage to approach the police and file a formal complaint. Based on her statement, Tukoganj police have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other applicable laws.
Police officials said efforts are underway to locate and arrest the accused, who is currently absconding. “A case has been registered, and teams have been deployed to trace the accused. Further investigation is in progress,” an officer said.
The incident showed the vulnerability of women within domestic spaces and the challenges survivors face in reporting such crimes due to fear of stigma and social pressure.
Authorities have assured that the matter is being treated with seriousness and that strict action will be taken against the accused in accordance with the law.
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With inputs from Dharmendra Kumar Sharma
