‘Diranda’ released on bail And died ‘justice’ Expectation: Why did the Dalit teenager choose the path of death in Lakhimpur?

Dalit Teenager Suicide Case In Lakhimpur Kheri: A heart-wrenching incident has come to light from Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, which raises serious questions on our legal system and social security. Here a 14-year-old Dalit girl, fed up with the fear of the accused and the constant mental harassment she was receiving, embraced death. This case is not only about the loss of an innocent life, but it is also a failure of the system which failed to provide protection to the victim.

The case began on January 10, when the girl had gone to the farm to collect fodder for her cattle. It is alleged that there 25-year-old Lovelesh Kumar forcibly dragged her into the bushes and misbehaved with her. When the girl raised an alarm, the accused abused her and ran away. After the complaint, the police sent the accused to jail, but after some time he got bail. The real tragedy began here. As soon as he came out on bail, Lovelesh started threatening the victim’s family. According to family members, he stopped the girl on the way and threatened to kill her and pressurized her to withdraw the case.

End of helplessness and mental harassment

On Wednesday (February 18), when the girl’s parents were out of the house for work, the frightened girl committed suicide by hanging herself on the roof of the house. The father says that his daughter was so terrified by Lovelesh’s threats that she had even stopped eating and drinking. This is not suicide, but an ‘institutional murder’ committed by the system. It seems, where criminals take advantage of bail and gather courage to torture the victim further.

legal and social failure

In this case, the police have now registered a case against the accused under serious sections of abetment of suicide (IPC 306) and SC/ST Act and have arrested him again. But the question is why the police did not first take cognizance of the violation of bail conditions? It has often been observed that ‘bail’ for Dalits and marginalized communities in rural areas. Proves to be more dangerous than punishment. According to legal provisions, if an accused comes out on bail and threatens the witnesses or the victim, his bail should be canceled immediately.

Also read: ‘Opening a woman’s nada is an attempt to rape, and…’, Supreme Court overturns the controversial order of Allahabad High Court.

Filing FIR is not enough

This tragic incident has once again proved that merely registering an FIR is not enough. Unless schemes like witness protection for victims are strengthened on the ground, such criminals will remain a challenge to society and justice.