Bihar is reeling from a surge in rape incidents, but a case in Purnia has taken an unprecedented turn. A 22-year-old man, accused of assaulting his 45-year-old aunt in a maize field, tried to kill himself with poison amid fears of family violence. He counters that he discovered her illicit affair and is being wrongly targeted.
Details emerged from Mirganj’s Barkon area. The woman claimed the youth dragged her into the field during her work and committed the heinous act. Her FIR triggered a police raid on the family’s home.
Panicked by the impending confrontation with his brothers, the young man swallowed poison. He was urgently admitted to Purnia Medical College Hospital in grave condition, fighting for his life.
Speaking haltingly to reporters, the youth painted a different picture. ‘She’s my chachi (aunt),’ he said. ‘I saw her with another man in the fields. This is revenge.’ Police arrival terrified him less than the thought of his siblings’ fury.
His brother accused authorities of harassment, noting that instead of hunting the real culprit, police rounded up innocent relatives and grilled them for over a day.
This controversy highlights the dangers of unverified accusations in close-knit communities. With both sides digging in, calls grow for DNA tests and field forensics to uncover the reality. The incident underscores the urgent need for impartial probes to prevent miscarriages of justice.