MUMBAI: The capital has once again come under the scanner with disturbing occurrence of a five-year-old girl?s rape by two men. Zee News has broadcast the first ever live interview of Gudiya?s (the name given to the victim) father with Mimansa Malik on the channel, first aired at 8.00 pm on 26 April in a special show apart from covering the shocking incident in its regular news bulletins.

Zee News Editor Sudhir Chaudhary said, ?Zee News has always been a pioneer in highlighting social issues. Zee News has been providing ?aam aadmi? a platform for voicing their concerns and being heard by others and the authorities in line with its philosophy ?Soch Badlo Desh Badlo?. We will continue to air and support such causes in the future as well, since we think the nation needs awakening.?

The incident took place on the evening of 15 April when the girl went missing and even after trying to look for her everywhere the family could not locate her. Fearing the worst the father rushed to the police, who instead of trying to help in the rescue operation just harassed the father. The police didn?t lodge a complaint till late after midnight after much persuasion and pleading.

Malik said, ?The next day no one from the police station even bothered to enquire from us about Gudiya. The neighbors heard her cries; they broke open the door and found Gudiya. We requested the police to come to the spot (and see it themselves) but they asked us to pick them from the police station. The police did not help us at all.?

The incident was recently reported across news channels, that a five-year-old girl had been held hostage and raped by a neighbor and his friend, in Gandhi Nagar, East Delhi. The assault was so brutal that it has startled the entire nation (recollection of the Damini / Nirbhaya case).

?Even Sonia Gandhiji has visited us and blessed the child and touched her forehead. She also promised that she will make sure that something substantial is done for the child. Even though she said this, nothing has been yet communicated to us. We are still waiting that she keeps her word.? He proclaimed.

The father of the girl wants to ensure that the accused be tried and the girl gets her justice. The latest atrocity does nothing to change the perception that authorities remain interested in only paying lip service to the cause of securing rights of women in the country, while little change is effected on the ground.