Nagpur: A feeble Reena (name changed) narrates her story nonchalantly as her 12-year-old daughter sits expressionless. Suddenly, Reena breaks down even as her daughter, a rape survivor, sits unmoved.
Covid has brought bad times for the family, where both parents are battling HIV. Reena’s husband Mahesh (name changed) used to operate a rented taxi. Covid brought an abrupt end to the business, forcing him to return the vehicle, and he is now without any means of income.
Unable to pay rent, they had to leave their home in a low-income pocket of the city. The family decided to split, so the husband and wife could stay at the houses of relatives, hoping to stay till the crisis ended. Reena went to her grand-mother’s house with a daughter and son. Mahesh went to his mother’s place, where his 12-year-old daughter was already staying since December.
Mahesh’s mother, who is reported to be suffering from diabetes and blood pressure, had asked the girl over to look after her. However, Mahesh’s stepfather allegedly raped the minor girl from March to August.
In April, Mahesh too had shifted to stay with his mother and stepfather. The girl’s statement in the FIR says that she did not reveal it to her father then as she was threatened of dire consequences by the perpetrator. She finally broke her silence in August, and the man was arrested.
A hearing was held at the court in this case on Tuesday. “We were told that summons will be issued for the next date,” said Reena.
TOI met Reena and her daughter, who is the rape survivor, at the Red Cross office, which helps HIV positive persons. They are among the many families hit hard by hardships brought along by Covid. Reena discovered she was HIV positive during her pregnancy. Her husband had it before marriage. The kids are, however, not infected.
“Mahesh was still jobless when he had to leave his mother’s place. Even I had to leave my grandmother’s house as I could not continue to be a burden on the relatives. My mother is no more,” Reena said.
Without any means of income, the family went to a different rented house. They are unable to pay the rent even now, she says.
“In the meantime, Mahesh had got a job as a driver but was sacked when someone revealed his HIV status,” she said.
Hemlata Lohave of the Red Cross said she has been appealing for help. “The family needs a source of livelihood, and we are appealing to get Mahesh employed,” she said.
A few days ago, Mahesh did get a job, but it will continue only till the other driver returns from leave, says Reena.