Pooja

    Pooja

Lying wrapped in white sheets with burn and bite marks on the torso, neck and hand looked broken, Pooja’s body is in a refrigerated glass case in the grounds of Nashik’s Hospital. “What does it take for a rape to be declared a rape?, No one practices untouchability when it comes to sex. What sin did my daughter  commit? I want justice”, the father sobbed and said angrily.

Laxman, a passer - by was curious and asked his friend. His friend replied. “It is a long story Bro. I will tell you later.” “No, I want to know it now itself.” “O.K. then let’s sit under the shadow of that tree.”

Pooja was like any other girl in the village, going to school every morning on a bicycle and coming home at three o’ clock. But she was the most beautiful girl of fourteen in the entire village. Though, she was of darker shades but the shape of the face was very charming. No one would miss that whenever they passed her. But this quality of her made many men jealous!

The people of her caste tried their luck in getting into a friendship with her but she refused. The upper caste men too did the same but were unsuccessful. They plotted a wicked plan. As she had to cross a jungle – path  to reach her school in the other end. The upper caste men hid themselves behind the trees and waited breathlessly.

When they spotted her on the way, they pounced on her. Then they dragged her to the woods. They tore her clothes and raped her repeatedly... I was walking through that road and stumbled upon something. It was a dead body. The body was full clothed when found but dress was red with bleeding. There was blood down to her legs. I was terrified seeing the scene and immediately called the police.

The police did the panchnaama and took the body to the Nashik Hospital. The post – mortem declared rape. A case was filed against the culprits and search was on for the accused. Her Father was adamant that he will not bury the body unless he gets justice. They caught the three upper caste men. But they came out unscratched. Their relatives threatened me of dire consequences if I spoke out the truth of what I saw. I sealed my mouth so that my family would live in peace. But then alas! Pooja could not get the justice she deserved. Her Father has come to take the body and give the burial…..