Jharkhand: Mother of five allegedly gang-raped by 17 men in Dumka; NCW seeks report

A 35-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped by 17 men in the Mufassil area of Jharkhand’s Dumka on Tuesday evening. The National Commission for Women (NCW) came across a media report of the alleged gangrape of the mother of five children and “is seriously concerned”. The commission said it has has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and also sought a detailed action taken report in the matter from the police.

According to reports, the woman was raped and her husband held hostage by 17 men when the couple was returning home from a market on Tuesday night. "The incident allegedly took place when she was returning home from a market. She has been sent for a medical check-up," said DIG Sudarshan Mandal.

“The NCW has come across a media report of the alleged gangrape of a mother of five children by 17 men who held her husband hostage in Jharkhand’s Dumka district. The Commission is seriously concerned about the reported incident and has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter," the NCW said in a statement.

The NCW said that its Chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to Director General of Police, Jharkhand seeking adherence to guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs of completing probes in two months in cases of sexual assault." The Commission has also sought a detailed action taken report in the matter from the police. A copy of the letter has also been sent to Superintendent of Police, Dumka," it added.

The woman and her husband had lodged a complaint with the police on Wednesday. The woman told the police the accused were drunk.

(With agency inputs)