Amravati sex abuse: 15-year-old Nagpur survivor breaks taboo, travels 250km to record statement before SIT | Nagpur News

By: Anil JadhavAMRAVATI/NAGPUR: In a big breakthrough in the sensational Amravati sexual abuse scandal, a 15-year-old survivor from Nagpur mustered the courage to break social taboo and travelled 250km to Paratwada police station in Amravati district on Saturday and recorded her statement before the special investigation team (SIT). Seven other identified survivors are yet to come forward, despite a mammoth outreach by police in coordination with social groups. The Nagpur girl was befriended during the Urs of a revered Sufi saint and is perhaps the only survivor who was lured offline. “She is healthy and mentally stable,” said Amravati SP (Rural) Vishal Anand. Women SIT members led by Yavatmal police inspector, Yasodhara Muneshwar, and Amravati child protection officers, also women, recorded her statement.Police are now mulling additional sections to the FIR registered suo motu on Monday. Key accused Ayaan Ahmed, co-accused Uzer Khan and six others are already named in the FIR under POCSO, Section 67 and 67(A) of Information Technology Act and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.The FIR registered on April 13 was based on details provided through “confidential sources”, though the issue became public when BJP MP Anil Bonde met Amravati SP Vishal Anand on Sunday and demanded action against the accused, who was seen in several viral videos.While police managed to arrest Ayaan and seven others in this case, the biggest legal hurdle was the lack of any complaint from survivors. Though eight survivors were identified after Ayaan’s interrogation, no one came forward to file an official complaint, fearing social stigma. Police appealed to families through community leaders and promised them confidentiality, something which legal provisions already guarantee. A concerted effort by Amravati police, members of State Minorities Commission and Child Welfare Committee and counsellors finally bore fruit when the 15-year-old braveheart appeared before the SIT on Saturday and told her side of the story.Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed the development to TOI after a closed-door meeting with Amravati SP (Rural) Vishal Anand and Amravati police commissioner Rakesh Ola. “A 15-year-old survivor from Nagpur displayed courage to give her statement to police,” Bawankule said.He appealed to other survivors to come forward and promised all help from the govt. Bawankule also appealed to people to come forward with evidence or information related to the case. “We will ensure that no accused goes scot-free. We will trace them down from any corner of the country or abroad where they might have gone into hiding,” he said.While Ayaan Ahmed was the key accused, police have taken seven other accused in custody for sharing videos on social media. Investigators are also examining whether there are more survivors as the accused frequented cafes, a flat in Amravati and Chikhaldara hill station with several girls.