“Those who commit such crimes do not deserve to live”, says Ujjain rape accused Bharat Soni’s father

Bharat Soni was arrested by the Madhya Pradesh police for allegedly raping a minor girl in Ujjain, his father Raju Soni called for a death penalty for his son. In a viral video that surfaced on social media, the girl was seen knocking door to door seeking help in a semi-naked condition and bleeding. The CCTV footage shows that a man shooed her away from his doorstep. The minor girl was rescued by a priest who gave her his clothes to wear and then called the police.

“We are not able to come out of shame. What should I do? I can't understand anything. That girl could have been my daughter...If I were in his place, I would have admitted my guilt and died with it,” said Raju Soni, the accused Bharat Soni’s father. “Those who commit such crimes do not deserve to live. Whether it's my child or anyone else's, anyone who commits such a crime should be hanged or shot”, he added.

According to the accused's father, he knew about the incident and talked to his son. He said that his son was absolutely unperturbed, and acted as if nothing had happened, kept quiet, and went about with his day. Bharat Soni was taken into custody on Thursday after CCTV footage of him talking to the minor near the railway station in Ujjain. Rakesh Malviya, was also arrested for attempting to destroy evidence.

“After seeing the viral videos, we identified the girl against whom a missing complaint was filed on Monday in Jaitwara police station, and informed Ujjain police. The minor’s grandfather confirmed her identity,” said Shivesh Singh Baghel, Satna additional superintendent of police.

The minor was rushed to a nearby hospital where a medical tests revealed that the girl had been sexually assaulted. Currently, the girl is undergoing treatment at the same hospital. A member of the NCPCR said that the girl's health is improving, but it may take some time for her to fully recover from the psychological trauma.