Father Of Ujjain Rape Accused Demands Death Penalty, Expresses Regret

The father of the man arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl in Ujjain on Friday has demanded the ultimate penalty, while the local bar association has made an appeal that no lawyer should represent him in court. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress continues to direct its criticism towards the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh concerning the incident, raising questions about the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Bharat Soni, an auto-rickshaw driver, was apprehended in connection with the case on Thursday.

"It is a disgraceful act. I have neither visited the hospital to see him, nor will I go to the police station or court. My son has committed a crime, and, therefore, he should face the death penalty," his father told the press.

Ashok Yadav, President of the Ujjain Bar Council, expressed concern that the incident had tarnished the reputation of the temple city.

"We urge our members not to represent the accused in this case," he emphasized.

Bharat Soni was taken into custody three days after a young girl, approximately 12 years old, was discovered wandering the city streets in an injured state. Medical examinations confirmed that she had been subjected to sexual assault.

Soni sustained injuries when he purportedly attempted to flee while being escorted to the crime scene for investigation, as reported by the police on Thursday. The girl is presently receiving treatment at the Government Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar Women's Hospital in Indore, where she underwent major surgery on Wednesday.

During counseling sessions, it was ascertained that she hails from Satna district in Madhya Pradesh. However, she could not provide her name or address accurately.

The police had mentioned that a missing person report for a girl of similar age had been filed in Satna, but further confirmation was required to establish if the rape victim was indeed the same girl.

The Congress party has strongly criticised the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, especially as assembly elections are anticipated by year-end.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate accused Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of failing to address the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state. She claimed that in Madhya Pradesh, being a Dalit, tribal, or a woman has become akin to a sin. Additionally, she highlighted the state's high number of cases involving the rape of minors and kidnappings, criticizing the silence of prominent leaders in the BJP, including the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.

Randeep Singh Surjewala, the Congress General Secretary overseeing Madhya Pradesh, stated that the assault on this "Dalit girl" was even more brutal than the infamous Nirbhaya case. Surjewala also visited the Holkar Women's Hospital in Indore.