Muzaffarpur, Bihar – A horrific case of rape and murder involving a nine-year-old girl in Muzaffarpur has ignited a wave of outrage across Bihar, drawing the attention of national bodies and sparking political protests. The young victim, allegedly sexually assaulted in her village last week, tragically succumbed to her injuries on Sunday at a state-run hospital, leaving her family to grapple with profound loss and allegations of medical negligence.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken swift action, initiating a suo motu cognisance of the case. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar vehemently condemned what she termed “gross negligence and systemic failure” contributing to the girl’s death. The Commission has urged both the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police in Bihar to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.
Bihar Police have pledged a rapid response, committing to file a chargesheet within the next 15 days to facilitate a speedy trial. “All necessary samples have been collected, including from clothing,” stated SSP Sushil Kumar, emphasizing the commitment to swift justice.
The incident has also become a focal point for political discourse, particularly with upcoming assembly elections in the state. The Congress party staged a protest in Muzaffarpur, sharply criticizing the Nitish Kumar-led government. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi voiced his condemnation on X (formerly Twitter), asserting, “The brutality against a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur and the subsequent negligence in her treatment is extremely shameful. If she had received timely treatment, her life could have been saved. But the double-engine government was negligent not only in providing security but also in saving her life.”
Timeline of a Nightmare
The ordeal began on May 26, when the young girl was reportedly lured away with chocolate near her aunt’s residence in Muzaffarpur. She was then subjected to a brutal sexual assault and subsequent violence, sustaining severe slash wounds to her throat and chest in an apparent attempt to silence her. A police official confirmed that her vocal cords were damaged, rendering her unable to speak, and an arrest has been made in connection with the crime.
Initially, the girl was admitted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur with critical neck and internal injuries. However, her family alleges that police officials at the Turki police station initially refused to register their complaint, attributing the delay to the accused’s local influence. The case was eventually registered at the Women’s police station in the district, leading to a medical examination that confirmed the rape.
As her condition deteriorated, the girl was referred to Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) for advanced care. What followed, according to the family, was a distressing wait of several hours in the ambulance and at the hospital’s registration ward. “The doctors referred us to Patna, but we didn’t like it there either. It’s not a good hospital. Yesterday, we came, and we waited for three hours in an ambulance,” recounted the victim’s uncle, Virendra Paswan, to ANI. He further described a night of discomfort for the child, who was given sleeping medicine by doctors before she passed away the following morning.
This tragic case underscores critical issues of child safety, law enforcement responsiveness, and healthcare accessibility, demanding urgent attention and accountability from authorities.
