Mizoram sexual assault case: Zodinliana’s family denies charges

Guwahati: Family members of Zodinliana Sailo, who was accused of sexual harassment by Zothansanga, a 24-year-old youth hailing from the capital city of Aizawl, issued a statement on Sunday denying the allegations. They also alleged that the FIR filed by the victim’s family did not include any charges of sexual assault or sexual abuse.

The accused is the grandson of T Sailo, the two-time former chief minister of Mizoram.

Coming out in support of Zodinliana, the family members termed the accusation as fake news. Referring to the tussle between the victim and Zodinliana, they said that nothing had happened after the brawl on September 7 and denied the allegations of “kidnapping” Zothansanga, the statement said.

When roughly translated, the statement released in Mizo read, “Because of the fake news, we are not safe at home and outside.”

The family also said that the "fake news" has hurt the sentiments of many Mizo people and condemned the doctor who performed the medical test on the victim.

In the statement, the family demanded the police to complete the investigation at the earliest and file the charge sheet at the court.

Zodinliana was accused of sexual assault by Zothansanga on the intervening night of September 7 and 8 after a brawl at a karaoke bar. As per an FIR filed by the victim’s mother, Zodinliana harassed him sexually for more than an hour, during which the accused forced the victim to indulge in a number of sexual acts.

After EastMojo first reported the rape case on November 22 , hundreds of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/eastmojo/videos/192601948361712/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBE1BTOFv-xJJjAVdCQr-ghIxnlc_7QuHhp9W6674sqxBGLXeiR9u-jYcB_thhrDAbupioC5Yrgvdqp-w_vnS1Xggd2zOHcFeEMzbKV2LRZ6VEkZGlSgWpEddFmtOwqGCzNfjDmVpP4-jankBFV69aPpEih0ZLpeU6ktyubCEZ-9jFdTCebEvCoO5ttzmW0Lz8srqzRGc46hXkvlYtu3Onl1eYYdHXDR0JrmRN_dR3tkCYcomiyZJ0LiqcerUWLKTqwW_BYosTUAXyX_OlqYbEW0qAFZKTOdhfAnaH5XkSUn3lxDR7Wzq1K774EnORi4GH-OfDN5BkNAsXH7OkgpSt0ne_QUsnNElrSYQ&__tn__=-R">Mizo people took to the streets in Aizawl on Saturday demanding justice for Zothansanga.