India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI: A delegation from the headquarters of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), led by national secretaries Shafi Madani and Mohammad Ahmed, visited the family of a 35-year-old Muslim nurse who was brutally raped and murdered in Uttarakhand a few weeks ago. The delegation offered condolences and demanded a high-level investigation to identify the real culprits behind the crime. They also assured the family of all possible legal and financial assistance.
Accompanied by the Uttarakhand office-bearers of the JIH, the delegation visited the home of Tasleem Jahan in Gadarpur, Rudrapur, on Saturday. They met with her family members, including her father, brother, sister, and an 11-year-old daughter. Mr. Madani informed that they provided some initial monetary assistance to her family and assured them of all possible legal and other support in pursuing swift justice.
According to the delegation, Tasleem, a divorced woman who had worked at Fotila Hospital in Rudrapur for several years, went missing on the evening of July 30. Her family reported her missing after she failed to return home. On August 8, her body was discovered in an empty plot near her residence. The family alleges that the body was severely mutilated and some organs were missing. However, the delegation noted that these details were not recorded in the post-mortem report, and the FIR was registered on August 14.
Police claim a drunk construction worker named Dharmendra Kumar attacked Tasleem while she was returning home. He allegedly dragged her to a secluded area, raped and strangled her, stole her belongings, and fled to Rajasthan. Dharmendra reportedly confessed to the crime, according to the police.
In a conversation with India Tomorrow, Mr. Madani, citing the family and activists, stated, “A single person, especially a drunk one, couldn’t have committed such a heinous crime. Dragging a woman from a populated area, raping her, mutilating the body, and removing organs would be difficult for one person, especially without attracting attention.”
“The police have swiftly arrested Dharmendra and sent him to jail hastily without taking him under remand and custody for inquiring thoroughly,” he added.
The delegation questioned why the body supposedly lay undiscovered for ten days in a populated area, raising concerns about the lack of smell or any concern from residents. They also alleged that the police hadn’t thoroughly investigated the case. According to them, the police had not questioned the family, the victim’s daughter, or even the accused in detail. The arrest seemed hasty and lacked proper investigation. The delegation argued that the family questions why the hospital where Tasleem worked for a long time wasn’t investigated. They believe the hospital staff might have information about her routine and activities.
According to details provided by the delegation, Tasleem’s family is poor. Her only brother runs a tea stall, and her father is elderly. She has several younger sisters, some of whom are still studying. Divorced 11 years ago with a young daughter, Tasleem worked at the hospital to support her family.
Mr. Madani also informed that on August 28, Tasleem’s daughter and sister filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court through Advocate Sugandha Anand with the help of the state unit of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, demanding a thorough investigation. He also stated that opposition parties, activists, and NGOs all have joined the family in rejecting the police version and demanding a thorough investigation and justice for her.
The brutal rape and murder of Tasleem Jahan has sparked outrage but has been largely ignored by mainstream media. Unlike the nationwide outcry over the Kolkata incident, this case has received scant attention, raising concerns about the disparate treatment of such heinous crimes based on the victim’s identity and the state’s political affiliation. The delegation and the family have serious concerns regarding the police investigation and question its effectiveness. A thorough and impartial investigation is crucial to bring the real culprits to justice.
