Bijaynagar minor girls’ ‘sex abuse’ case sparks widespread protests

Bhilwara/Ajmer: The rape and blackmail scandal involving minor girls in Bijaynagar town of Beawar district has drawn national attention and widespread protests. Eight adults have been arrested and three minors detained by the Bijaynagar police so far, even as public protests and anger against the accused is spreading in Beawar, Bhilwara and Ajmer districts.
A POCSO court in Ajmer Tuesday ordered four accused - Lukman alias Shoeb (20), Sohail Mansuri (19), Arman (18) and Rihan Mohammad (20) - to judicial custody after their remand ended. The remaining four suspects continue to be questioned by police.
A 45-year-old former independent councillor, Abdul Hakim Qureshi, was also arrested under POCSO charges for allegedly assisting the perpetrators.
Five girls aged 14-16 years, all class 10 students, have come forward thus far to report the exploitation. Three separate FIRs have been registered in the matter. Following Beawar SP Shyam Singh's directives, special teams began investigating under sections 75(2), 78(2), 353(1)G and 64(1) BNS.
Masuda deputy SP, Sajjan Singh said, on Feb 16 evening, five minor schoolgirls and their families approached the local police station. They accused certain youths of physical exploitation, forcing religious conversion, reciting Kalma and observing fasts through blackmail. The accused, working as painters, welders, tempo drivers, labourers and mechanics, had minimal education up to fourth or fifth grade.
The accused allegedly lured schoolgirls to cafes, took inappropriate photographs and used these to coerce the minors into recruiting other girls while forcing religious practices upon them. The accused would allegedly borrow motorcycles to take minor girls to cafes.
Shravan, the 23-year-old owner of the cafe, where the inappropriate photography occurred, was also arrested under POCSO charges. Police are currently searching for a pizza and burger shop owner implicated in the case.
The girls underwent medical examinations on Feb 17 and gave statements to a magistrate on Feb 18. By Feb 17 morning, seven youths were detained for questioning. The primary accused - Sohail Masuri, Sohail and Lukman - allegedly forced the minor girls to wear burqas and observe religious practices. Even as police investigations are ongoing, public outrage have led to protests and silent marches in the region. Subsequently, Bijaynagar municipal body issued 11 notices regarding alleged encroachments to the accused's families, a mosque, a graveyard and food establishments.
On Tuesday, thousands from the Jain community conducted a silent march at Peepali intersection, demanding strict action against the accused. Nearby towns including Jaliya Dvitiya, Masuda, and Ramgarh observed closures. The saint community organised a foot march at Bhilwara district headquarters and submitted a memorandum. Outrage swept Bhilwara, Tuesday, as the saint community and Hindu organisations staged a big protest against the alleged exploitation and forced conversion of the minor girls. Led by Indian Sadhu Society Rajasthan president Hansaram, demonstrators submitted a memorandum to Bhilwara collector, demanding swift and strict action against the accused.