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In Now-Binned Medical Report, Junior Doctor Wrote Bhopal Gang-Rape Survivor Had 'Consensual Sex' With Her Rapists

How society continues to fail survivors of sexual assault.
Delhi witnessed mass protests after gang rape of 22year old paramedic student in December 2012 and 5 year old child in Arpril 2013.
Ramesh Lalwani
Delhi witnessed mass protests after gang rape of 22year old paramedic student in December 2012 and 5 year old child in Arpril 2013.

It was a mistake, but one that tells the tragic story of how survivors of sexual assault are often treated in India.

In an initial medical report right after a 19-year-old student was abducted, tied up and gang-raped, a junior doctor allegedly wrote that she "had consensual sex with two of the accused". The report has since been binned. Karan Peepre, the Superintendent of Sultania hospital, told NDTV that it was a mistake on the doctor's part.

However it's not surprising given the apathy she was shown by authorities after she reported the rape.

The college student, who was on the way back from her coaching class when she was kidnapped by four youths, dragged to a desolate spot, and raped for hours, said police wouldn't file a complaint.

None of the two police stations — MP Nagar and Habibganj — registered the FIR, passing the buck, saying that the area of the crime did not fall under their jurisdiction. Finally, the railway police registered a case. 10 cops were later suspended.

The alleged rapists took gutkha, cigarette and tea breaks between the horrific assault, reports said.

The ordeal didn't end even after her ordeal. According to reports, at the Habibganj GRP, an officer allegedly accused the victim of "making up a filmy story".

"Such people (culprits) should not be left alive. Police should hand out such a punishment that it does not happen with anyone ever again. In fact, they should be hanged on the streets," the survivor told ANI.

The Madhya Pradesh government responded to the public furore by ordering coaching centres to not hold classes after 8 pm.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.