'She Was Bleeding, Had Swollen Eyes': Ujjain Priest Who Helped Rape Survivor

Rahul Sharma, a priest from an ashram located on Badnagar Road in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, who saved the 12-year-old rape victim, recounted the terrible condition in which he discovered her. The girl, who had been turned away by many, was aimlessly wandering when he helped her.

Sharma reportedly saw a semi-naked girl who was visibly hurt with blood oozing from both her legs near the ashram's gates as he was leaving the ashram premises around 9:30 a.m. on Monday.

The priest in a brief conversation with NDTV asserted that he gave her his clothes. He further said that the girl was bleeding, could not speak. Her eyes were swollen. He called 100. "When I could not reach the cops over the helpline, I contacted the Mahakal police station and informed them about the situation. Police reached the ashram in about 20 minutes," the priest was quoted saying to NDTV.

CCTV footage captured the 12-year-old girl, injured and partially undressed due to alleged sexual assault, pleading for help from house to house. She was reportedly dismissed by a man she asked for help from while he was outside his residence.

Sharma further said that the girl appeared to fear everyone, yet showed a slight trust in him. "She would try to hide behind me when others approached her. Eventually, the police arrived and escorted her away," he was quoted as saying.

The girl was then taken to a district hospital by the police for medical examination where she was confirmed being raped.

The girl was then referred to Indore as her injuries were serious. Police personnel too, donated blood to the girl when she needed it during her treatment. Her condition is now learnt to be stable.

Madhya Pradesh's Home Minister Narottam Mishra stated that a special investigation team (SIT) has been established to investigate the issue, and a culprit has been taken into custody.

A case of rape has been registered against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

"The girl was not able to tell us exactly where she was from. But her accent suggests she is from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh," Ujjain police chief Sachin Sharma said. Uttar Pradesh police have also been contacted in the case.

Reportedly, an auto driver recognised as Rakesh, among three others was convicted in the case. The police informed that the girl had boarded an auto at Jeevan Kheri according to a CCTV video footage. The police further said that they found blood stains on the auto and a forensic examination was underway.