Bulldozer action on 4 Rajasthan hotels linked to 13-year-old girl's gang rape

Authorities in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar demolished four hotels late Tuesday night that were allegedly used in the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl, as public anger continued to mount over one of the state's most shocking recent rape cases.

The action was carried out by the district administration and police, with bulldozers deployed to raze the hotel structures linked to the alleged crime. Superintendent of Police Harishankar said the accused would face the strictest possible punishment.

According to the police, the survivor was allegedly sold to a hotel owner by a rickshaw puller after she went missing from her home on June 18. Investigators allege that she was then repeatedly raped by more than 30 men over five days at multiple hotels across the city.

The FIR states that several hotel owners and operators were involved in the exploitation of the minor and that attempts were made to suppress the crime. The girl has also alleged that she was forced to consume alcohol whenever she experienced pain from the repeated assaults.

Police have arrested 12 accused so far, while the investigation is continuing to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects.

The alleged gang rape has triggered widespread outrage in the district, with residents demanding the demolition of illegal hotels and capital punishment for those responsible. The Congress has also staged protests, accusing the administration of failing to prevent the crime and seeking strict action against all those involved.

- Ends