MUZAFFARPUR: The Saket court verdict in the infamous
Muzaffarpur shelter home sexual assault
case came as a big solace for the residents of Muzaffarpur, especially for those living in the neighbourhood of its key accused
Brajesh Thakur
.
Ataullah Ansari (55), who lives beside the house of Thakur on the Sahu Road, said, “Papion ki uske gunaah ki saja mili hai (the sinners have been punished for their offence).”
Rukhsar Begum (34) too expressed her happiness over the court verdict. “Gunaahgaron ki saja milni hin chahiye (the sinners must be punished),” she said.
The palatial house of Thakur wore a deserted look. A big lock was hanging at the main door as the family members were away in Delhi to hear the judgment in the case. “Pariwar ka koi nahi hain yahan (nobody in the family is here),” said a neighbour.
The house, which once used to be abuzz with activities, is locked from outside. Even the narrow lane leading to Thakur’s bungalow wore a deserted look. Locals said nobody wants to cross the lane after the scandal came to light in May 2018. “It’s beyond our imagination that he (Thakur) was such a human being,” said a shopkeeper.
The members of social organizations too hailed the verdict. Apparently happy with the decision, Aniket Kumar, a social organization functionary, said, “Finally, justice has been delivered to the victims.”
Echoing similar views, Vandana Vijaylaxmi, a social activist, said the court verdict has set an example. “We all are happy as the court has held the accused guilty. I demand stringent punishment for all the accused,” she said.
The court order has come as a bolt from the blue for the close relatives of Thakur, who is currently lodged in Patiala central jail. “No, we don’t want to make any comment at this moment,” said a close relative, who lives in the town.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)