Meerut shopkeeper arrested for raping 6 boys, exposes lack of laws against sexual violence for men

In a disturbing case from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, a 37-year-old shopkeeper named Ajeet Chauhan was arrested for allegedly drugging and raping six young men over a period of seven months. The victims, aged between 10 and 23, were lured to Chauhan’s house, given narcotic drinks and then sexually assaulted. The crime came to light only after one of the survivors leaked videos of the assaults to the media, TOI reported.

Chauhan, a local shopkeeper, had installed CCTV cameras in a room of his house to record the attacks. He reportedly used the footage to blackmail the victims into silence or to further exploit them. After several police raids, Chauhan was caught and the mother of one of the survivors filed a formal complaint.

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An FIR was registered under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for ‘unnatural sex’, Section 506 for criminal intimidation and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act.

However, the existing legal framework in India, especially the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, does not provide sufficient protection against sexual violence against men and transgender people.

The introduction of the BNS on July 1, 2024, omitted crucial protections for male and transgender victims. While Chapter V of the BNS focuses on crimes against women and children, it does not provide specific legal provisions to protect men and transgender people from rape and sexual violence. Previously, Section 377 of the IPC dealt with non-consensual penetrative penile sex, but its removal has created a legal vacuum, leaving male and transgender victims without clear protections, reports say.

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This highlights the absence of legal protection for male victims of sexual violence in India. The absence of inclusive laws demonstrates how deeply entrenched patriarchal norms make it difficult for men to report sexual crimes, often leaving them without justice or support.

People on social media have been demanding an urgent review of the BNS to ensure that all victims of sexual violence, regardless of gender, are adequately protected. Here’s what they had to say:

Just to remind that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, India’s new Penal Code, does not have a section on male and transgender rape. This needs to be urgently revised as men are also vulnerable to male sexual abuse. https://t.co/BM2VyMOoSa

— #MeTooIndia (@IndiaMeToo) August 28, 2024

Now this is an attack on MEN.

By a man.

I really hope that men will speak out and not label this as a false cause, but stand up for their own gender.

Stand up against sexual abuse of young boys and men.

Will you? https://t.co/m8i2SG1zrs

— Chinmayi Sripada (@Chinmayi) August 27, 2024

The victims are men. The perpetrator is a man. Will men come together and raise their voices for these victims and accept the ills of our society and work to cleanse them instead of lamenting women saying “all men” on social media? https://t.co/Hef2EdO0UG

— Javachip Frappuccino (@DebuggingDamsel) August 28, 2024

Nearly 95% of Desi men of all ages who are abused are not even aware that they are being abused.

And when they do realize it, they brush it off and take a bath. Or they keep it to themselves out of shame.

They know they will be shamed and ridiculed if they complain about it. https://t.co/49Q1NUAoh6

– లివ్. Live (@BlahBlah4518) August 28, 2024

What do you think about this incident?

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