“Congress Questions BJP on the Status of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ Initiative”
Sonbhadra District, Uttar Pradesh – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ramdular Gond, representing the Duddhi constituency, has been handed a 25-year prison term on Friday by a Sonbhadra district court for the 2014 rape of a 15-year-old girl.
Judicial Verdict:
Special Judge Ahsanullah Khan, presiding over the MP/MLA court, declared Gond guilty under IPC Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (causing disappearance of evidence) along with POCSO Act provisions, prompting concerns over Gond’s potential expulsion from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.
Immediate Consequences:
Following the conviction, Gond, a first-time MLA, was promptly taken into custody, marking a significant turn in a case that had seen him out on bail.
Sentencing Details:
The court imposed a 25-year sentence and levied a fine of Rs 10.5 lakh. Special Public Prosecutor Satya Prakash Tripathi highlighted that the court directed the penalty amount to be awarded to the victim.
Legal Response:
In response to the judgment, Ram Briksh Tiwari, Gond’s legal representative, announced plans to file an appeal, indicating a continued legal battle.
Prosecution’s Narrative:
During the trial, the prosecution claimed Gond attempted sexual assault in 2014, with the victim reporting repeated incidents of rape over the past year. Discrepancies in the victim’s age, as per school documents submitted by Gond, added complexity to the case.
Background Details:
At the time of the incident, Gond’s wife, Sooran Devi, served as the panchayat pradhan. The victim’s family alleged facing pressure and intimidation over nine years to withdraw the case.
Victim’s Current Situation:
Now 25 years old, the complainant resides with her husband and in-laws, having navigated a challenging legal journey against Gond.
Political Victory and Defeat:
Gond secured his MLA position by defeating Vijay Singh of the Samajwadi Party in the Assembly elections.
“Congress Questions BJP on the Status of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ Initiative”
In a recent development, the Congress party has raised questions about the efficacy of the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative launched by the BJP government. The party representatives in Congress have asked, “Kaaha Gaya Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, BJP ka Nara?” (Translation: Where has the slogan of ‘Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter’ by the BJP gone?)
The ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign was launched with the aim of promoting the welfare and education of girls in India. However, Congress is now seeking answers from the ruling party regarding the current status and impact of the initiative.
This move by the Congress comes as part of ongoing discussions and debates surrounding women’s empowerment and education in the country. As the political discourse continues, the effectiveness of various government schemes, including ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,’ remains a point of contention between different political factions.
