Pangi minor rape case rocks Himachal, MLA Dr Jank Raj slams govt for inaction
Shimla, Aug 20: Himachal Pradesh slipped into national shame on Tuesday when BJP MLA from Pangi–Bharmour, Dr. Janak Raj, exposed in the Vidhan Sabha a horrifying case of a 14-year-old orphan girl’s sexual abuse, pregnancy and forced marriage that local authorities allegedly ignored for months.
Raising the issue through a Calling Attention Motion, Dr. Raj said the girl was sexually exploited earlier this year, got pregnant, and delivered a child. Instead of protection, she was hurriedly shifted to Jammu along with the newborn, married off, and the child handed over to someone else.
“This was no secret in Pangi — the entire valley was talking about it. Yet the administration and police turned a blind eye.
Even after I informed the Deputy Commissioner, Chamba, and the Chief Minister himself, no action was taken for six days. Only yesterday, after I raised the matter in the House, an FIR was lodged and two accused were arrested,” he said.
The MLA demanded strict punishment not just for the culprits but also for the officials who “suppressed” the case, calling it a betrayal of the state’s daughters and a blot on the government’s welfare schemes for orphans.
Replying in the Assembly, ministers admitted the case was “serious and sensitive,” confirming that the victim is now in Kishtwar and police action has been initiated.
HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured the House that officials found guilty of negligence would not be spared.
The shocking revelation has brought disgrace to Himachal Pradesh, exposing how an orphaned minor was denied justice for months while those entrusted with her protection looked the other way.
