JAISALMER: A shocking case has emerged from the Pokaran region of Jaisalmer district, where a newly married woman from Phalsund has alleged that her marriage was arranged by showing her family the photograph of one man, but she was instead married to another man, who was allegedly mentally ill. Within days of the marriage, she has accused her father-in-law, her sister-in-law’s husband (brother-in-law), and another man of gang rape. She has also alleged that women from her matrimonial family subjected her to sexual abuse and other inhuman acts.The victim’s sister approached the Pokaran Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) office on Saturday and lodged a named complaint against the woman’s in-laws. Acting on the directions of Pokaran Circle Officer (CO) Budharam Bishnoi, a Zero FIR was registered at the local police station. Since the alleged offences took place in Undu village of Barmer district, the FIR is being transferred to the Barmer Superintendent of Police for further investigation.According to the complaint, the victim’s family was shown the photograph of one prospective groom while arranging the marriage, but at the time of the wedding she was allegedly married to a different man, who was claimed to be mentally ill. The complaint further alleges that after the marriage the victim was physically assaulted and sexually abused by her father-in-law, identified as Damaram, Ramuram, who allegedly arranged the marriage, and her brother-in-law Aidan Ram.The complainant, identified as Dariya Devi, stated that when the family discovered that the groom was not the same person whose photograph had been shown, they protested. However, they alleged that the in-laws pressured them and attempted to suppress the matter. The complaint further claims that the victim was forcibly taken back to her matrimonial home and her family members were not allowed to meet her.The family also alleged that the victim was repeatedly assaulted after marriage and subjected to rape and other forms of sexual abuse. They said her physical and mental condition deteriorated as a result of the alleged abuse. When her health worsened, she was initially taken to Phalsund Hospital and was later referred to Pokaran District Hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment.The complainant has demanded a fair investigation and strict legal action against all those named in the complaint.Pokaran Dy SP Budharam Bishnoi said that the complaint contains allegations of forced sexual assault and other serious offences following the marriage. Since the alleged incident falls under the jurisdiction of Undu in Barmer district’s Shiv Assembly area, a Zero FIR has been registered at Phalsund Police Station and the case has been forwarded to Barmer Police for further investigation.(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
