Tikri Border: Woman Activist Allegedly Gangraped At Protest Site, Later Dies Of COVID-19

Tikri gangrape case: A woman from West Bengal, en route to the farmers' protest at Tikri border in Haryana, was allegedly gang-raped and later died after contracting COVID-19 last month. An FIR was filed following a police complaint by her father. Six persons, four men and two women, who were partaking in the farmers' protest were booked Sunday in the case.

As per reports, the 25-year-old was travelling from Bengal to Tikri in April to join the farm law protests that have been ongoing since August last year around the national capital. She was making the journey with the male accused, whom she came in contact with in Bengal, as per The Times of India. 

The deceased's father alleged the activist was harassed on the train by one of the male accused on April 11. The next day, upon reaching Tikri, she reportedly shared the tent with the accused, which is when the alleged sexual violation took place.

She was shifted to the women's tent later but was hospitalised in Delhi on April 21 after developing a fever. She tested positive for COVID-19. In the days prior to passing away on April 30, the activist reportedly confided in her father about being assaulted.

Tikri Gangrape Case Sends Shockwaves For Being First Of Its Kind

The accused are reportedly associated with the Kisan Social Army (KSA) and were removed from the protest site after the incident came to light.

"No one is permitted to misbehave with the women and SKM is ready to provide any kind of help to the victim’s family in ensuring justice in the case," Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the coalition of farmer groups presiding over the farm law protests, said in a statement.

"The accused were also barred from participating in the movement and public appeal was issued for their social boycott," they added.

The case has prompted wide shock across channels for its nature, being understood as the first such case to publicly emerge in the long months of protest around Delhi that has seen massive participation from women farm leaders and supporters.