Supposedly alive, the city races forward. Synced to the city's pulse, people stride along its arteries. Suddenly, a girl enters the CCTV frame on one of these streets, followed by a boy. Without warning, the boy attacks her. Witnesses to the attack keep moving on, indifferent, as if nothing had happened. The girl, succumbing to her injuries, breathes her last on that very road. The boy sits down by the lifeless body, speaking to it until the police arrive. This heart-wrenching tale unfolded in Maharashtra's Palghar district.
June 18, 2024, Vasai, Palghar
It's early morning. People are on their way to work, including this girl, carrying a bag, walking along a path when a boy approaches her from behind and strikes her with a heavy object. The blow is so severe that the girl collapses in the middle of the road, shaken and unable to stand. But what follows requires courage to witness. The assailant continues his attack with a weapon in hand, each blow reducing the girl's movements until they cease.
Two Attacks, One Shocking Outcome
Delhi saw a similar crime exactly a year prior when a boy murdered a girl between alleys with knives and stones. Despite the distance of more than a thousand kilometers between Delhi and Palghar, these two incidents share a haunting similarity. We'll discuss the connection between these two attacks, but first, let's focus on the event in Palghar.
Attack with a Wrench
The horrific assault on the streets of Palghar left the girl lifeless within seconds. The boy wielded nothing but a wrench, a tool meant for tightening nuts and bolts, now repurposed as a deadly weapon against a vulnerable head. The implications of such an attack aren't hard to imagine, displayed in tragic clarity on that street.
One Brutal Attack After Another
On reviewing the CCTV footage, one sees the boy assaulting the girl, blow after blow. One, two, three, four, five, six... You tire counting, but the assailant's determination never wavers as he relentlessly targets the girl. But why did this boy become a monster in the middle of the street? What is the relationship between him and the victim? What sparked such hatred?
A Failed Attempt to Intervene
Amidst this whole event, it's shocking to see the apathy of the bystanders. Despite the many witnesses, no concerted effort was made to stop the boy. Finally, one person steps forward, attempting to intervene numerous times but retreats when threatened.
He Continued to Assault, Onlookers Watched
It's bizarre that out of all the bystanders, only one attempted to save the girl. The rest stood by, merely watching the spectacle. Photos show crowds standing just steps away from the unfolding tragedy, yet choosing not to help. Some even passed by as if unaffected by the horror in front of them.
The 'Not My Problem' Attitude
Only one person attempted to stop the attack, and even then, no one came to his aid. This apathy and cowardice resulted in the death of an innocent girl in plain sight, while onlookers then calmly went on their way.
The Link Between Delhi's Sakshi Murder and Palghar's Incident
Now, let's explore the connection of this Palghar incident to the Sakshi murder case that took place in Delhi a year ago. The crime occurred 1372 kilometers away in Maharashtra, but echoes the Delhi case where a 16-year-old girl was gruesomely killed in front of bystanders on May 28, 2023.
Evidence of Cowardice and Heartlessness
Even then, with plenty of objects around to fend off the assailant, no one intervened, showcasing a shameful lack of courage comparable to the current apathy shown by the inhabitants of Palghar.
A 6-Year Relationship
The Palghar victim, Aarti Yadav, was just 20 years old. Her killer, Rohit Yadav, was slightly older. Rohit had been in a relationship with Aarti for six years.
Rohit Devoted Everything to Aarti
According to police sources, Rohit had even helped Aarti find a job. Initially, their relationship thrived, but as time passed, Aarti began distancing herself, despite Rohit dedicating almost his entire salary to her and her family.
Aarti Was Drifting Away from Rohit
Conversely, Aarti had friendships with other boys, and upon witnessing this, Rohit's confrontation led to Aarti suggesting they break up, prompting Rohit to decide on revenge.
Rohit Didn't Flee After the Murder
On the day of the attack, June 18, both were on their way to work. After a brief confrontation, Rohit left, only to return with a heavy wrench with which he viciously attacked and took Aarti's life. Witnesses claim Rohit sat by the body, conversing with it until he was arrested by the police who had been alerted by people at the scene.
