Rakia Imran
A man previously convicted of multiple sexual assaults has once again been taken into custody, this time for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl with speech and hearing impairments in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district.
The gruesome crime led to an extensive investigation as authorities sought to bring him to justice. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, police forces from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh worked together in a coordinated effort. Their joint operation, which involved gathering intelligence, conducting raids, and tracking the suspect’s movements, ultimately led to his arrest on February 19.
With law enforcement agencies monitoring his activities closely, the suspect made several desperate attempts to escape his capture by changing his whereabouts frequently. However, the Rajgarh police, using cutting-edge surveillance technology and advanced intelligence systems, managed to keep him under constant watch. Their strategic tracking operations ensured that he could have never escaped their sight, ultimately arresting him despite his attempts to escape.
In their extensive investigation, the police officials examined footage from as many as 136 CCTV cameras, leading to the identification of 79 individuals who were deemed relevant to the case. To strengthen their probe further, they also analyzed call detail records associated with over 700 mobile numbers, uncovering key evidence. Their relentless pursuit of the suspect resulted in the arrest of Ramesh Khati in the Rajgarh district. Providing insight into Khati’s background, Rajgarh District SP Aditya Mishra disclosed that Khati is a serial criminal with a history of repeated offenses, following a distinct pattern in his unlawful activities.
According to the report, Ramesh Khati’s criminal history dates back to 2003, when he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping a five-year-old girl. Instead of rehabilitating after his release in 2014, he committed another shocking crime by raping an eight-year-old girl in Sehore district. Additionally, records indicate that while he was still incarcerated in 2013, he was booked in a theft case, and shortly after his release in 2014, he was involved in another grave offense under the POCSO Act, reinforcing his pattern of serious offenses.
The police reported that the Trial Court had originally sentenced him to death. However, upon appeal, the High Court overturned the sentence, pointing to procedural lapses. The Court noted that the victim’s father was present during the identification procedure, which could have led to undue influence on the process and raised concerns about the reliability of the identification.
According to an analysis of NCRB data conducted by the Child Rights Organization (CRY), cases involving the raping of children, including all forms of penetrative assaults, have witnessed an alarming surge of 96 percent between 2016 and 2022. This sharp rise highlights the growing concern over crimes against children and underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of protective laws.