Gujarat man lets landlord rape wife, daughter to settle Rs 2,000 rent debt

Morbi police have booked three men after a landlord allegedly exploited a migrant family over unpaid rent. The case, involving POCSO charges, has highlighted the risks faced by vulnerable labour households.

In Short

• The migrant family had moved to Morbi six months ago for work
• A Rs 2,000 monthly rent became unaffordable amid severe financial hardship
• Police said the landlord allegedly exploited arrears to coerce the family

A disturbing case of alleged sexual exploitation linked to unpaid rent has surfaced in Gujarat’s Morbi district, where a labourer allegedly allowed his landlord to sexually assault his wife and minor daughter in exchange for waiving house rent dues, police said.

The Morbi A-Division Police have registered a criminal case against three individuals, including the victim’s husband and the landlord. Two accused have been arrested, while a search is underway to trace a third accomplice allegedly involved in the case.

According to police sources, the family had migrated to Morbi around six months ago in search of work and rented a small house for Rs 2,000 per month. However, due to financial hardship and irregular employment, the husband allegedly failed to pay rent on time, leading to mounting arrears.

Exploiting the family’s extreme financial distress, the landlord reportedly offered to waive the outstanding rent in exchange for physical favours from the tenant’s wife. Lacking the means to pay, the husband consented to the coercion, leading to the repeated sexual assault of his wife by the landlord.

The situation escalated further when the landlord’s demands extended to the tenant’s minor daughter. Police reports indicate that the father again provided consent, leading to the continued exploitation and abuse of the child. The minor was reportedly taken to various locations, including a property in Tankara, where she was subjected to further criminal acts involving the landlord and another individual.

This cycle of exploitation was eventually uncovered when the victim’s maternal grandfather became aware of the circumstances. Disturbed by the severity of the situation and the betrayal of parental responsibility, he promptly filed a formal complaint with the local authorities.

In response to the allegations, the Morbi A-Division police registered a case under stringent legal provisions, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. The investigation led to the immediate arrest of the victim's husband and the landlord. While the husband was sent to jail, the landlord was placed in police custody for interrogation.

Law enforcement officials have confirmed that a third suspect involved in the case is currently at large. Dedicated teams have been formed to track down the absconding individual and ensure all responsible parties face legal consequences. This case has drawn significant attention to the vulnerabilities of migrant labour families and the necessity for robust local protection mechanisms.

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