Kolkata Girl Gets Sexually Assaulted By Shopkeeper And Locals, Police Asks Her To ‘Settle The Case’

Women have been subjugated and judged for centuries no matter what they do or say. The mob mentality of the patriarchal society we live in has made us blind to double standards. We do not even bat an eye before declaring a woman as “characterless” if she does something away from the norm.

Another such incident of society being the judge of a girl has shocked us to the very core. Turns out, all it takes for the mob to side with a man is him declaring that the girl is an alcoholic or druggie. The incident took place on February 14, 2018.

Ruth Pal Chaudhuri from Kolkata suffered an ordeal that has left us seething in anger. She took to Facebook to share her story and also to stand up against her perpetrators with a voice loud and clear.

Image Source

She wrote,

The society we live in…

The perpetrator gets respected and innocent gets mobbed.

Today, I needed Valium 10, 2 pieces, for my aged and ailing dog. I requested the local shopkeeper/owner and he rudely rejected. I was leaving when he made a comment “these addicted whores and their desperation. ” I immediately turned and asked him to repeat his statement. He did, and added more colourful terms. I kept my cool and said please mind your language. He then said, “saali Tu prescription laa, fir 2 kyun 2000 le jaa. Jitna Nasha karna hai kar.” I asked him for his name and asked for a pen and paper. He refused to give. I grabbed the first thing I saw and that was the billbook. I said fine, I’ll write your details over here. He got aggressive and touched me. I ran out of the shop in hope that the locals would intervene. I was proven wrong.


The locals, men and women, grabbed me, groped me, assaulted me physically and sexually. All in the name of getting that bill slip because I could write whatever in thy and attain any medicines. I was strong so I freed myself. If I didn’t, I would have been gangraped today and nobody would have saved me because, “mujh jaisi ladki ka yehi hashn hona chahiye.”


I came back, told my parents everything and my mother accompanied me. They did the same with me in front of my mother. They kept snatching at me and touching me indecently. My mother guarded me but they dragged me. They called the police, who came and very conveniently ignored the physical abuse that kept going. Mom and I were then taken to the police station that was allotted to that area.

There, they placed the whole blame on me saying I assaulted them all and broke things and abused them. That my mother did the same. When I said that fine, arrest me, the shopkeeper said no, she’s a girl, let’s not ruin her life. Let’s settle mutually. The police forced me to settle it mutually. Then the OC came and he treated me like a criminal, threatening me to lock me up and beat me up. My mom got angry and she challenged the police. She said fine, arrest my daughter and do all the tests needed that will prove her wrong.

They didn’t agree. The forced a mutual settlement on me. Then, they are spreading rumours that I was already drunk and went to ask for sedatives. They know I take drugs and I am a prostitute and what not. My mother and I still went and got an MC done. I will see the end. Luckily, I have parents who are supportive and are not afraid to fight.


I could have been raped and possibly murdered. And, nobody would have saved me. Today, my faith in humanity diminished tremendously. I am terrified to go out because once they have “certified” me to be “characterless ” they have a right over my body.

Nobody has the right over anyone’s body. No matter who they are or what they do, you cannot exert a right over their body.

 

Among the chaos and her gut-wrenching ordeal, her dog Ginger who required the medicine for his ailment passed away the same night. But Ruth is not one to stand down in the face of adversity, she is planning to take legal action because she wants to do away with this double standard that exists in the society.

How disturbing is it that the police who are supposed to be the protectors of the victim did not think twice before joining hands with her criminals. When will we see the double standard in our society for what it really is? Ruth has definitely taken a step towards doing the right thing as opposed to keeping quiet anad accepting her situation. You go, girl!

📣 Storypick is now on Telegram! Click here to join our channel (@storypick) and never miss another great story.