'Dandi ka Rakshas' story invoked to shield culprits

SHIMLA: On July 6, when the body of the rape victim was recovered with bites on her body, torn clothes kept aside and leg brutally stretched, certain influential locals, including a pujari of Dandi temple, made it public that the girl was killed by "Dandi ka Rakshash" to shield the culprits and divert the attention of the family and villagers.

Till justice is done: Members of the All-Youth Federation Upper Shimla and Madad Sewa Sansthan observe a fast on The Ridge in Shimla on Monday. Photo: Amit Kanwar

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 24

On July 6, when the body of the rape victim was recovered with bites on her body, torn clothes kept aside and leg brutally stretched, certain influential locals, including a pujari of Dandi temple, made it public that the girl was killed by "Dandi ka Rakshash" to shield the culprits and divert the attention of the family and villagers.

This story was narrated here today by family members and members of the Gudia Vikas Manch. Even they contested the police theory that the girl knew Raju, the main accused arrested by SIT, and he had given her lift.

“After 20 days have passed, the entire state rejects the police probe. I appeal to family members of the culprits to hand them over to the CBI. They may use money power to protect them. But I have full faith in God,” said Sharda Damset, victim’s aunt and convener of the manch in her tearful address after they staged a march from the DC office to the Secretariat.

The victim’s sister and cousins said to raise voice for justice was no politics. “We appeal to the public, the government and the CBI to bring culprits to book. We never thought the Chief Minister would make statements that such crimes are no new,” they lamented.

The post-mortem report and forensic evidence gathered by the police confirmed that it was not “any non-existent Dandi Ka Rakshash” who killed the girl. But it was the handiwork of some local Raksashas, said Rakesh Singha, president, HP Apple Growers Association, who visited the spot and family members twice and vowed to fight for justice.