In a harrowing incident from Bulandshahr district in Uttar Pradesh, gang-rape survivor broke through police barricades and evaded nine police officers to confront Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Kalanidhi Naithani.

The survivor sought immediate justice, demanding the arrest of two accused men still at large. She revealed that six men had gang-raped her on June 3, 2025, four of whom have been arrested but two absconding, who have been allegedly threatening her family.

DIG Naithani assured her that a special team had been formed for their arrest and expressed displeasure over police negligence that delayed justice and endangered the victim’s family.

The incident, captured on video, has sparked widespread outrage over police inaction and underscored rampant challenges faced by survivors seeking timely redress.

Incident and confrontation with authorities

The survivor’s ordeal began when she was abducted while returning home from fields in her village in Khurja tehsil and taken to nearby bushes where multiple perpetrators allegedly gang-raped her.

Despite repeated visits to the Khurja police station by her family, the FIR was registered only days later on June 10. Four accused-Aditya, Sonu, Lalit, and Mangal-have since been detained, but two-Shiva and Amarjit-remain absconding.

During DIG Naithani’s visit to Khurja police station for inspection, the victim broke through a crowd of approximately 150 to 200 personnel and the attempts of nine police officers to restrain her, reaching the officer’s vehicle where she collapsed while pleading for urgent intervention and justice.

The DIG personally listened to her grievances, ordered inquiry into the police’s failure to act promptly, and permitted the victim to request a change in investigating officer, highlighting her mistrust in the local authorities.

Police response and administrative action

DIG Naithani strongly reprimanded the Khurja police station in-charge for negligence and attached the officer to police lines pending inquiry. He disclosed that a special team comprising senior officers and investigators had been constituted to ensure swift apprehension of the absconding accused.

The survivor accused Inspector Pankajay and other local officials of deliberately blocking her access to senior officers to cover slow procedures and insufficient action in her case, a charge that the DIG took seriously.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Rudalt Singh confirmed that the FIR was lodged late due to procedural delays but stressed that current efforts were directed towards delivering justice and protecting the survivor and her family from ongoing threats. Measures to enhance victim security and expedite investigations have been promised.

Background and wider concerns

The incident brings to light enduring systemic issues in Uttar Pradesh, a state with one of the highest rates of sexual violence according to National Crime Records Bureau data. Police inertia, delay in FIR registration, and intimidation of survivors are pervasive concerns that hinder justice.

Activists and rights groups have condemned the failure of local authorities in Bulandshahr to act decisively and protect the victim, calling for reforms to improve accountability and survivor safety. Political leaders have also leveraged the case to demand stronger governance on women’s security.

This case echoes a long-standing pattern where victims face not only the trauma of crime but also bureaucratic and institutional apathy, underscoring an urgent need for systemic overhaul.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

The courageous act of the Bulandshahr survivor, confronting authorities despite intimidation, symbolizes resilience amidst adversity and a dire plea for accountability.

The Logical Indian urges law enforcement agencies to prioritise survivor dignity, safety, and swift justice over bureaucratic inertia.

Sensitivity training for police and transparent mechanisms for tracking progress in such cases are imperative. Equally, community awareness and support networks must grow to empower survivors and recalibrate societal attitudes towards sexual violence.