In the Nainital rape case, though the accused contractor Usman has been jailed, fear of his influence continues to grip the area. The victim and her family, who endured unimaginable trauma during the 18 days it took for the arrest, remain under security following administrative intervention. However, those who supported the family—both directly and indirectly—now worry for their own safety.
After the city witnessed unrest on Wednesday night in reaction to the crime, calm has returned, but questions linger: Will the victim receive justice? Will the accused face due punishment?
On Sunday, the team from Samvad News Agency visited the locality where the incident occurred. While most residents remained silent, the unease was palpable. Locals expressed disbelief, recalling how the victim and her sibling, despite living away from their parents, were loved by all in the area. Many said they had worshipped the young girl during Navratri as a symbol of the goddess, never imagining she would become the victim of such brutality at the hands of an influential elder from the neighborhood.
