Law and order non-existent in BJP-ruled states: Rahul Gandhi condemns assault on Army Officer in MP

New Delhi [India], September 12 (ANI): The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the attack on a young Army officer and his friend and the alleged sexual assault of their female friend in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore district is disgraceful for society.

In a post on X, Gandhi said, “The violence against two soldiers and the rape of their female companion in Madhya Pradesh is enough to bring shame to the entire society.”

He also said that the audacity of these criminals is a result of the complete failure of the administration and added that law and order is almost nonexistent in BJP-ruled states.

“In BJP-ruled states, law and order is almost non-existent, and the BJP government’s negative attitude towards the increasing crimes against women is extremely concerning. The audacity of these criminals is a result of the complete failure of the administration, and this growing unsafe environment in the country imposes restrictions on the freedom and aspirations of India’s daughters,” the Congress leader added in the post.

Earlier today, police officials said that they have arrested two people in connection with the assault on a young Army officer and his friend.

A young Army officer of the Military Headquarters of Warfare (Mhow) Infantry School, along with his friend, was assaulted by 7-8 unknown assailants and one of their two women friends was allegedly sexually assaulted, according to the FIR.

Indore Rural SP Hitika Vasal told ANI that 10 police teams conducted investigations and identified six accused. Two of them have been arrested, and efforts are underway to arrest the remaining four.

“10 police teams carried out investigations and police identified six named accused. 2 of them have been arrested. Efforts are underway to nab the remaining 4, they will be caught at the earliest,” she told ANI.

SP Hitika Vasal told ANI that the incident occurred at the Army firing range in Indore on Wednesday. SP Vasal also said that the complainant said that their female friend was taken to a corner and they heard her screams, which made them suspect that something untoward had happened to her.

“Police received information yesterday that 4 people visited Army firing range late at night. An incident of two people being thrashed occurred there. The 2 others were told to bring Rs 10 lakhs. The complainant said that their female friend was taken to a corner and then he heard her screams. The complainant suspects that something untoward must have happened to her. A police team reached the spot immediately and upon spotting them, the accused escaped,” she said.

SP Vasal stated that the women’s statements have not yet been recorded. Once recorded, further action will be taken. Further information is awaited.