12-year-old rape survivor found bleeding on street in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain

CCTV footage captured on cameras installed at different places in Ujjain established that the girl was wandering for over two hours before she found help

A girl, around 12 years of age, was found bleeding on a street in Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh, and medical examination confirmed that she had been raped, police said on September 27.

The girl was found wandering in a semi-clothed condition on Monday, the police said. She is currently under treatment at a hospital in Indore. CCTV footage showing the 12-year-old trying to seek help and being turned away has caused furore on social media. Opposition parties have criticised the Madhya Pradesh government for the “lack of safety for women” in the State.

“A girl, aged around 12 years, was found bleeding on a street located under the Mahakal police station area in Ujjain on Monday [September 25]. She was taken to a hospital, where her initial medical examination confirmed that she had been raped,” Ujjain Superintendent of Police (SP) Sachin Sharma told journalists.

Mr. Sharma added that going by the girl’s accent, she appeared to be from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh but only further investigation could confirm it. CCTV footage captured on cameras installed at different places in Ujjain established that the girl was wandering for over two hours before she found help. One clip shows her approaching a man but being turned away.

The girl found help near Dandi Ashram — a residential gurukul — whose manager Rahul Sharma offered assistance and informed the police.

“I was leaving the gurukul for a meeting when I saw a girl standing close to the Ashram gate. She was bleeding, was half-naked and her eyes were swollen. She seemed scared and tried to move away. I first gave her a cloth [to cover herself] and assured her that she had nothing to fear. I then enquired what had happened but she spoke in a language that I did not understand; I also gave her a pen and paper but she could not write anything either,” Mr. Sharma told The Hindu over the phone.

After unsuccessfully trying to get details from the girl about her parents or any contact number, Mr. Sharma and the gurukul staff provided her some food and informed the police. Till Wednesday evening, the police have not been able to trace the girl’s family.