‘We don’t need more trauma’: Police, family of Delhi rape survivor rubbish rumours of her ‘suicide’

On January 26, a 20 year old woman in Delhi was allegedly gangraped, head tonsured and publicly humiliated.

While the woman was being publicly humiliated, the survivor’s sister told Newslaundry: “I hid inside the house and watched everything through a crack in the wall.” Eventually the sister managed to call the police who rescued the woman.

This morning, rumors began circulating via Instagram and Twitter that the survivor has died by suicide. A handle on Instagram and Twitter titled “Sikh Lounge” was one of the first to post about the “suicide”.

At 7.42 am, when this reporter contacted the uncle of the survivor, he said, “She is fine. Her husband spoke to her. I also spoke to her a few days ago.”

At 7.58 am, Manoj Pant, assistant commissioner of police, Vivek Vihar, told Newslaundry: “This information is not true. She is alive and fine. I am on my way to meet her now.”

Sathya Sundaram, DCP Shahadara, told Newslaundry that the reports were “completely false reports of suicide" and that the police “will be taking action on accounts spreading such information”.

He also said all the accused in the case have been arrested. “Initially there were 11 accused. Additionally we have arrested one more person,” he said. “So, in total we have arrested nine people and apprehended three minor boys.”

The Delhi police also put out a video appeal asking to stop the spread of misinformation.

“Sikh Lounge” later deleted its tweet and issued a clarification: “Commits suicide Delhi based girl was a rumor spread by the wrong source.”

Later in the day, Pant told BOOMlive that he had visited the survivor after reading the posts of her “suicide”.

“She spoke to me and is safe. She has not even attempted suicide,” he said. “...We are providing them with food but I kept asking her whether there was something specific she would like to eat. She has told me and I am arranging for the same to be sent to her. The woman has been through a lot and so has her family. These rumours are adding to their trauma. We will look into those who are sharing these false posts.”

Ever since the incident on January 26, the survivor has been living at a “safe house and is with the police”, said her husband. Their two year old child is currently staying with the survivor’s sister, who told Newslaundry that she herself has been dealing with gangrape threats for a while now.

By 4.06 pm today, the survivor’s uncle called this reporter and said, “So many reporters are calling and asking if she is dead. Why? As of this morning, she really is alive is what her husband told us. But then why am I getting so many calls? I'm getting scared.”

Once again Newslaundry clarified with the survivor’s husband, who told us: “My wife is in a safe house, our child is with her sister, I am here at home. We’re already traumatised and separated. This is a lot for us. Why are people spreading such news? We really don't need more trauma.”