The Arnamai Bora Rape and Murder Case involves the brutal rape and murder of a 58-year-old school teacher in Jamunamukh, Assam, which occurred on May 31, 2018. The incident sparked widespread outrage and protests across the state.[1]
| Murder of Arnamai Bora | |
|---|---|
| Location | Jamunamukh, Hojai, Assam, India |
| Date | May 31, 2018 |
| Victim | Arnamai Bora |
| Accused | Moinul Haque, Salim Uddin |
| Charges | Rape, murder, destruction of evidence |
Incident
editArnamai Bora was a government school teacher who frequently crossed the Kopili River to reach her school, Changjurai Ilashi Deuri Primary School, in the Jamunamukh area of Hojai district.[2] On May 31, 2018, while returning home from school, she was attacked allegedly by Moinul Haque and Salim Uddin. According to prosecutors, they followed her and subsequently attacked her.[2]
Bora's body was discovered the following day, leading to a swift investigation by local authorities. The police arrested the two suspects on June 1, 2018, after public outrage and protests demanding justice for Bora intensified. They confessed to the police that they raped her, strangled her to death, and disposed of her body in the river.[2]
Public reaction and protest
editThe case has drawn significant media attention and public protests, emphasizing the urgent need for effective measures to combat violence against women in Assam. Activists and community leaders have called for stricter laws and better enforcement to protect women and ensure justice in cases of sexual violence.[3]
Police investigation and legal proceedings
editA FIR was registered at Jamunamukh Police Station. Haque and Uddin were booked under Sections 302/34, 2001/34 and 376(A) of the Indian Penal Code.[4]
In December 2022, the Additional District and Sessions Judge Court in Hojai sentenced Haque to death and Uddin to life imprisonment. However, both appealed the verdict.[5]
On January 17, 2023, the Gauhati High Court commuted the death sentences of Haque and Uddin to three years in prison. The court noted that there was insufficient documentary evidence to support the claims of rape and murder, leading to the reduction of their sentences.[6] The High Court's decision was met with public disappointment and raised concerns about the judicial process in such serious cases.[7]
Criticism
editThe Assam Director General of Police, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, acknowledged faults in the police investigation, admitting that charges under certain sections of the Indian Penal Code were not properly applied. This admission highlighted systemic issues within the investigative process and the need for reform to ensure justice for victims of sexual violence.[8]
References
edit- ^ NEWS, NE NOW (2018-08-01). "Assam: Death for Moinul, lifer for Selim in Arnamai Bora's rape-murder case". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ a b c Time, Pratidin (2018-08-01). "Death sentence to Assam teacher Arnamai Bora's murderer, life imprisonment to second culprit". Pratidin Time. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (2023-01-17). "Arnamai Bora murder case : শিক্ষয়িত্ৰী অর্ণমাই বৰাৰ হত্যাকাৰীৰ শাস্তি লাঘৱ উচ্চ ন্যায়ালয়ৰ". ETV Bharat News (in Assamese). Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ "Arnamai Bora Case: মই ময়ূৰীয়ে কৈছোঁ, 'আমি যুঁজিম,আমি জিকিম'- অৰ্ণমাই বৰাৰ গোচৰৰ ৰায়ক লৈ ক্ষুণ্ণ জীয়াৰীৰ পণ". News18 হিন্দী (in Assamese). 2023-01-18. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ "'Will move Supreme Court if needed in Arnamai Bora rape case'". The Times of India. 2023-01-20. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ "Assam : Gauhati High Court commutes death penalty to 3-year jail in Arnamai Bora murder case". India Today NE. 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (2023-01-18). "Arnamai Bora murder case: নিৰ্বাচনী ইছ্যু হিচাপে পৰিগণিত অৰ্ণমাই বৰাৰ হত্যাকাণ্ড: দল-সংগঠন". ETV Bharat News (in Assamese). Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Time, Pratidin (2023-01-18). "Arnamai Bora Case: Assam DGP Concedes Police's Fault In Probe". Pratidin Time. Retrieved 2024-08-27.