Diary of murdered DU student reveals 6-yrs of sexual assault

Nearly five months after the murder of an 18-year-old Delhi University student, her mother discovered a two-page letter while cleaning her room, in which the girl detailed the six years of sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her uncle’s son.

Shocked by the revelation, the mother immediately went to Jahangirpuri police station and lodged a complaint. Police have now registered a case under sections related to rape, POCSO and criminal intimidation, and have begun an investigation.

On June 1, the student from Jahangirpuri was stabbed to death in a park in Mehrauli. The accused, Arshdeep, was arrested soon after. Investigations revealed he had been pressuring her because of his one-sided love and killed her after she rejected him. He also attempted to set her ablaze by dousing her in petrol. A charge-sheet in that case has already been filed in court.

The diary note, found during cleaning on November 20, has now thrown up another disturbing aspect of the girl’s life. The deceased’s mother is a teacher, while her father works in a shop in Chandni Chowk.

According to the letter, the girl had written about her trauma when she was in Class VII. She stated that at the age of six, her uncle’s son took her away on the pretext of playing hide-and-seek and sexually assaulted her. This continued for the next six years. Her cousin, who had free access to the house, would rape her whenever he pleased.

If she resisted, he threatened to kill her and made lewd comments. Out of fear and shame, she never told her family. She also wrote of her mental anguish and suicidal thoughts.

The letter submitted by the mother was examined by a handwriting expert. After confirmation, an FIR was registered on Tuesday.