In a shocking incident, a disabled Dalit woman was allegedly raped in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh late on Sunday night.
The 21-year-old woman was allegedly raped by an auto-rickshaw driver and two accomplices when picked her up near the fort area of Vizianagaram. According to the police, the woman was on her way to her sister's house. The auto driver, who was accompanied by two other men, diverted the vehicle and took the woman to an isolated place.
"She said that when she asked them to stop the auto at Phulbagh, they did not stop. They took her to an isolated real estate layout area, where one of them allegedly raped her," the police said.
A passerby rushed to rescue her after hearing her cries. According to the police, she managed to go to her relative's house, and was then admitted to the local Primary Health Center (PHC) and was then taken to the area government hospital.
The police have registered a case of rape and also under sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the auto driver and the two others.
Speaking to TNM, Vizianagaram SP G Palaraju said, "We have registered a case under all relevant sections. The hunt for the accused is on.”
"We are looking at other numbers in a similar location as her cellphone tower locations. CCTV footage of the route is also being examined thoroughly, along with a search as per the physical description of the accused," he said.
"She is being treated in the government hospital. The required medical procedure is being taken," he added.
People across the state have condemned the inhuman act of the accused, and have demanded justice for the survivor.
According to the Hindu, Vizianagaram MLA Meesala Geeta, District YSRCP political coordinator Majji Srinivasa Rao and former chairman of the Vizianagaram Grandhalaya Samstha Rongali Potanna, Lok Satta Party State president Bhisetti Babji and ZP chairperson Swati Sobha Rani have all demanded that justice be served.