1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,000 NARRATOR: Now two stories on 2 00:00:23,100 --> 00:00:25,446 this special edition of FRONTLINE. 3 00:00:25,470 --> 00:00:28,976 First as the United States withdraws from a 20-year 4 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:31,806 conflict... It’s time to end America’s 5 00:00:31,830 --> 00:00:34,346 longest war. NARRATOR: There are signs Iran 6 00:00:34,370 --> 00:00:37,506 is stepping in... And the Taliban is gaining 7 00:00:37,530 --> 00:00:39,706 ground... Correspondent Najibullah 8 00:00:39,730 --> 00:00:43,046 Quraishi investigates the consequences of leaving 9 00:00:43,070 --> 00:00:47,046 Afghanistan. The most likely scenario is a 10 00:00:47,070 --> 00:00:50,206 civil war. There is no one to stop it 11 00:00:50,230 --> 00:00:52,146 anymore. NARRATOR: And later... 12 00:00:52,170 --> 00:00:57,406 In India allegations of rape and political cover up... 13 00:00:57,430 --> 00:01:00,746 The girl tried to burn herself, obviously she wanted 14 00:01:00,770 --> 00:01:04,606 media attention, she wanted someone to listen. 15 00:01:04,630 --> 00:01:06,906 NARRATOR: Correspondent Ramita Navai investigates... 16 00:01:06,930 --> 00:01:11,046 There have been allegations that the chief minister has been 17 00:01:11,070 --> 00:01:14,976 trying to protect the accused. NARRATOR: These two stories 18 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:17,230 on this special addition of FRONTLINE. 19 00:01:49,030 --> 00:01:51,576 Good morning... U.S. and NATO troops begin pulling out of 20 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:54,476 Afghanistan. News that all U.S. and NATO 21 00:01:54,500 --> 00:01:57,746 troops will soon leave their country, many Afghans are 22 00:01:57,770 --> 00:02:00,446 feeling anxious about their future. 23 00:02:00,470 --> 00:02:02,676 NARRATOR: Journalist Najibullah Quraishi is heading 24 00:02:02,700 --> 00:02:06,646 into Afghanistan as the U.S. military is leaving. 25 00:02:06,670 --> 00:02:10,206 It's time to end America's longest war. 26 00:02:10,230 --> 00:02:13,346 It's time for American troops to come home. 27 00:02:13,370 --> 00:02:15,846 NARRATOR: 20 years after an American-led coalition drove the 28 00:02:15,870 --> 00:02:20,246 Taliban from power, the group has now regained control of as 29 00:02:20,270 --> 00:02:23,046 much as 80 percent of the country. 30 00:02:23,070 --> 00:02:25,876 There's a chance a Taliban insurgency could topple the 31 00:02:25,900 --> 00:02:28,406 U.S.-backed government. The Afghan Government has 32 00:02:28,430 --> 00:02:31,446 warned that the withdrawal could lead to a civil war. 33 00:02:31,470 --> 00:02:35,576 Open a new, more turbulent chapter in this country's bloody 34 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:37,806 history. NARRATOR: Fears of a Taliban 35 00:02:37,830 --> 00:02:42,270 takeover and civil war are increasing. 36 00:02:45,900 --> 00:02:48,906 With the Taliban making advances almost by the day, 37 00:02:48,930 --> 00:02:52,176 Najibullah is going into one of the group's strongholds, where 38 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:57,146 an extreme faction has their base near the Iranian border. 39 00:02:57,170 --> 00:02:59,606 He's been promised an interview with one of the Taliban's 40 00:02:59,630 --> 00:03:03,306 original leaders, and one of its most feared warlords, Mullah 41 00:03:03,330 --> 00:03:07,746 Abdul Manan Niazi. QURAISHI: Mullah Niazi is 42 00:03:07,770 --> 00:03:10,600 tough, frightening, and a very dangerous man. 43 00:03:12,230 --> 00:03:16,146 But I took a risk, of course it was a big risk. 44 00:03:16,170 --> 00:03:20,970 I had some doubt, if he would do something bad against me. 45 00:03:23,900 --> 00:03:27,706 NARRATOR: Niazi's base is over 500 miles west of Kabul, 46 00:03:27,730 --> 00:03:31,376 deep in Taliban country, where factions regularly clash with 47 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:35,306 government forces. The white flags of the Taliban 48 00:03:35,330 --> 00:03:41,876 mark the end of the road for Najibullah and his team. 49 00:03:41,900 --> 00:03:45,376 (speaking Arabic) NARRATOR: The last of a dozen 50 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:52,446 checkpoints. QURAISHI: The people who are 51 00:03:52,470 --> 00:03:55,376 in the checkpoint, they were coming and looking to us 52 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:58,376 because probably they are seeing journalists for the first 53 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:06,400 time. ♪ ♪ 54 00:04:07,730 --> 00:04:11,376 NARRATOR: The only approach to Niazi's camp is on foot. 55 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:14,770 It's a 90-minute hike over rough terrain. 56 00:04:19,100 --> 00:04:21,406 QURAISHI: Mullah Niazi sent some troops back from the 57 00:04:21,430 --> 00:04:26,606 mountain to escort us. And these people were heavily 58 00:04:26,630 --> 00:04:32,170 armed. ♪ ♪ 59 00:04:36,730 --> 00:04:41,206 It was quite scary. You know, once you're inside, 60 00:04:41,230 --> 00:04:45,600 you cannot do anything. You have no way to come back. 61 00:04:50,770 --> 00:04:53,306 NARRATOR: At the summit, Najibullah and his colleagues 62 00:04:53,330 --> 00:05:01,330 are ordered into a holding cell. QURAISHI: I saw a sign 63 00:05:02,430 --> 00:05:05,776 saying welcome to the Taliban court. 64 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:09,846 At the side of the room I saw a bunch of sticks. 65 00:05:09,870 --> 00:05:16,106 They punish some people. When I saw these sticks, I said, 66 00:05:16,130 --> 00:05:19,606 "You're a goner." (man calling for prayer) 67 00:05:19,630 --> 00:05:23,006 As soon as I heard they were calling for the prayer, I 68 00:05:23,030 --> 00:05:26,476 immediately I thought this is the moment to come out of this 69 00:05:26,500 --> 00:05:29,306 cell. I wanted to show that I'm a 70 00:05:29,330 --> 00:05:35,476 proper Muslim and I am not a spy, I am a journalist. 71 00:05:35,500 --> 00:05:43,500 (man praying in Arabic) NARRATOR: After prayers, 72 00:05:55,070 --> 00:06:01,546 everyone gathers on the roof. Najibullah is brought out onto 73 00:06:01,570 --> 00:06:09,070 the top of the compound to wait. (speaking Arabic): 74 00:06:11,370 --> 00:06:14,600 NARRATOR: Then the Mullah arrives. 75 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:22,806 QURAISHI: If you meet Niazi in person, he's smiling, he's 76 00:06:22,830 --> 00:06:26,446 very friendly. You think he's the best person. 77 00:06:26,470 --> 00:06:30,046 But behind all these smiles, he's a really, really dangerous 78 00:06:30,070 --> 00:06:38,070 man. NARRATOR: Niazi invites 79 00:06:41,270 --> 00:06:45,806 Najibullah and the team into the main room. 80 00:06:45,830 --> 00:06:48,676 He launches into a victory speech for what he sees as the 81 00:06:48,700 --> 00:06:53,970 Taliban's defeat of America. (speaking Arabic): 82 00:07:04,430 --> 00:07:11,570 QURAISHI: (speaking Arabic): 83 00:07:14,230 --> 00:07:17,076 NARRATOR: Then Niazi says something surprising: with the 84 00:07:17,100 --> 00:07:21,070 U.S. leaving, a new enemy is moving in... Iran. 85 00:07:21,670 --> 00:07:29,670 (speaking Arabic): NARRATOR: The Fatemiyoun 86 00:07:33,930 --> 00:07:37,276 Brigade is an Iranian-backed Afghan militia. 87 00:07:37,300 --> 00:07:41,146 It's drawn from Shia Afghan refugees in Iran and also from 88 00:07:41,170 --> 00:07:45,476 members of the Hazara Shia minority inside Afghanistan. 89 00:07:45,500 --> 00:07:48,946 The Fatemiyoun were deployed in Syria to fight for Bashar al 90 00:07:48,970 --> 00:07:53,776 Assad. Now, Niazi claims Iran has been 91 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:59,470 sending them back to Afghanistan in anticipation of a civil war. 92 00:08:02,700 --> 00:08:10,700 (speaking Arabic): NARRATOR: Niazi says that 93 00:08:18,100 --> 00:08:21,046 almost every night he sends men to the Iranian border, where 94 00:08:21,070 --> 00:08:24,330 they ambush Fatemiyoun fighters sent from Tehran. 95 00:08:24,970 --> 00:08:32,846 (speaking Arabic): NARRATOR: He shows gruesome 96 00:08:32,870 --> 00:08:35,576 pictures on his phone of what he claims are dead Fatemiyoun 97 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:41,870 fighters. ♪ ♪ 98 00:08:45,330 --> 00:08:53,330 (speaking Arabic): NARRATOR: There's no way to 99 00:08:57,200 --> 00:09:01,206 confirm the pictures he was showing, but to further 100 00:09:01,230 --> 00:09:05,206 demonstrate his faction's power, Mullah Niazi wanted Najibullah 101 00:09:05,230 --> 00:09:08,330 and his team to see his bomb makers at work. 102 00:09:09,100 --> 00:09:17,100 (conversing speaking Arabic) QURAISHI: 103 00:09:28,570 --> 00:09:35,430 (speaking Arabic): QURAISHI: 104 00:09:36,700 --> 00:09:44,700 (speaking Arabic): NARRATOR: Outside on the 105 00:09:48,970 --> 00:09:52,906 mountaintop, Mullah Niazi issues a chilling threat, aimed at Iran 106 00:09:52,930 --> 00:10:00,930 and the Hazara. (speaking Arabic): 107 00:10:16,470 --> 00:10:18,906 NARRATOR: To show he means what he says, he invites 108 00:10:18,930 --> 00:10:22,146 Najibullah to film his men on a mission. 109 00:10:22,170 --> 00:10:24,906 They're setting an ambush for the Fatemiyoun fighters coming 110 00:10:24,930 --> 00:10:31,570 over the border from Iran. (music playing on radio) 111 00:10:36,970 --> 00:10:44,970 (speaking Arabic): (speaking Arabic): 112 00:11:05,530 --> 00:11:13,530 (speaking Arabic): NARRATOR: The men plant 113 00:11:31,300 --> 00:11:37,230 I.E.D.s along the roadside. (speaking Arabic): 114 00:11:59,100 --> 00:12:01,576 NARRATOR: As night falls, they take Najibullah out of the 115 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:04,970 area, before the long trip back to Kabul. 116 00:12:07,770 --> 00:12:15,770 (speaking Arabic): ♪ ♪ 117 00:12:33,270 --> 00:12:36,446 NARRATOR: In Najibullah's 20 years covering the war here, 118 00:12:36,470 --> 00:12:40,170 Iran's influence has always been a complex factor. 119 00:12:40,500 --> 00:12:43,506 It has long viewed Afghanistan as a safe haven for Sunni 120 00:12:43,530 --> 00:12:47,876 extremists. But it also cultivated ties with 121 00:12:47,900 --> 00:12:53,646 the Taliban to extend its influence in the country. 122 00:12:53,670 --> 00:13:00,176 Mullah Niazi's claims signal a dangerous turn. 123 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:02,906 QURAISHI: When Niazi was talking about Iran, I was 124 00:13:02,930 --> 00:13:05,776 doubting. This was spinning in my mind 125 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:09,176 all the time while I was on the way to Kabul. 126 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:12,576 Then I couldn't sleep for days, for nights, and I tried to find 127 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:16,746 some other sources to support what Niazi says. 128 00:13:16,770 --> 00:13:22,046 (horns honking) NARRATOR: Through his 129 00:13:22,070 --> 00:13:24,906 contacts, he meets a man who says he recruited Afghan Shias, 130 00:13:24,930 --> 00:13:28,230 most of them Hazara, to fight with the Fatemiyoun in Syria. 131 00:13:29,230 --> 00:13:33,370 QURAISHI: (speaking Arabic): 132 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:39,070 QURAISHI: (speaking Arabic): 133 00:13:41,830 --> 00:13:44,306 NARRATOR: He agreed to talk if we concealed his identity and 134 00:13:44,330 --> 00:13:51,930 disguised his voice. (speaking Arabic): 135 00:14:05,870 --> 00:14:12,300 QURAISHI: (speaking Arabic): 136 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:30,206 QURAISHI: (speaking Arabic): 137 00:14:30,230 --> 00:14:36,930 QURAISHI: (speaking Arabic): 138 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:48,800 QURAISHI: (speaking Arabic): 139 00:14:59,330 --> 00:15:04,706 (horns honking) NARRATOR: Another Fatemiyoun 140 00:15:04,730 --> 00:15:08,176 source, a veteran of the war in Syria, tells Najibullah that 141 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:11,406 Iranian officers ordered them to prepare for fighting in 142 00:15:11,430 --> 00:15:15,276 Afghanistan. Like the recruiter, we're 143 00:15:15,300 --> 00:15:19,100 concealing his identity. ♪ ♪ 144 00:15:20,630 --> 00:15:28,630 (speaking Arabic): QURAISHI: 145 00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:12,800 (speaking Arabic): QURAISHI: 146 00:16:35,370 --> 00:16:40,976 (speaking Arabic): NARRATOR: It's hard to 147 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:43,676 verify the men's claims about the number of Fatemiyoun in 148 00:16:43,700 --> 00:16:47,576 Afghanistan, but it has been estimated that between 10,000 149 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:53,770 and 20,000 fought in Syria and several thousand returned home. 150 00:16:56,130 --> 00:16:58,406 The Iranian foreign minister was asked about their role in 151 00:16:58,430 --> 00:17:01,906 Afghanistan in a television interview. 152 00:17:01,930 --> 00:17:04,276 He said that while they had supported Afghan fighters in 153 00:17:04,300 --> 00:17:08,400 Syria, he denied they are active in Afghanistan now. 154 00:17:10,570 --> 00:17:18,570 (speaking Arabic): NARRATOR: But the foreign 155 00:17:29,700 --> 00:17:32,246 minister said that it was possible that they could be 156 00:17:32,270 --> 00:17:34,600 deployed in Afghanistan, if needed. 157 00:17:35,130 --> 00:17:43,130 (speaking Arabic): NARRATOR: No one in the 158 00:17:58,330 --> 00:18:00,676 Afghan government would talk to Najibullah about the militia or 159 00:18:00,700 --> 00:18:08,276 the role of Iran in the country. QURAISHI: Either they don't 160 00:18:08,300 --> 00:18:11,576 want to talk about this issue, or either they don't know 161 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:16,446 anything about this. NARRATOR: Whatever the extent 162 00:18:16,470 --> 00:18:19,676 of Iran's involvement here, one group is increasingly in the 163 00:18:19,700 --> 00:18:25,146 line of fire: the Hazara. Najibullah heads to central 164 00:18:25,170 --> 00:18:31,446 Afghanistan, where most of the Shia minority group live. 165 00:18:31,470 --> 00:18:35,906 They've long been the target of Taliban persecution and attacks. 166 00:18:35,930 --> 00:18:39,876 Now their association with Iran and Fatemiyoun makes them a top 167 00:18:39,900 --> 00:18:45,776 target for Taliban warlords like Mullah Niazi. 168 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:49,106 At a Hazara cemetery, Najibullah meets a woman who 169 00:18:49,130 --> 00:18:52,006 says the Taliban has been launching deadly attacks on 170 00:18:52,030 --> 00:18:55,346 their community. Her grandson was killed in the 171 00:18:55,370 --> 00:19:00,470 fighting. (speaking Arabic): 172 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:07,600 QURAISHI: (speaking Arabic): 173 00:19:19,930 --> 00:19:22,446 NARRATOR: Nooria's husband was killed by the Taliban just 174 00:19:22,470 --> 00:19:25,930 weeks earlier, leaving five children behind. 175 00:19:26,730 --> 00:19:34,730 (speaking Arabic): NARRATOR: Like other ethnic 176 00:19:58,230 --> 00:20:00,976 groups, the Hazaras are forming militias, hoping to protect 177 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:05,876 their communities from the advancing Taliban. 178 00:20:05,900 --> 00:20:08,306 A local reporter got a brief interview with a senior 179 00:20:08,330 --> 00:20:12,630 commander, Abdul Ghani Alipur, who is currently in hiding. 180 00:20:14,870 --> 00:20:22,870 (speaking Arabic): NARRATOR: Alipur claims to 181 00:20:40,900 --> 00:20:44,506 have thousands of fighters at his command. 182 00:20:44,530 --> 00:20:49,270 (man speaking Arabic, crowd shouting) 183 00:20:58,430 --> 00:21:01,006 NARRATOR: The militarization of the Hazara has incited not 184 00:21:01,030 --> 00:21:04,646 just the Taliban; it has brought the Hazara into conflict with 185 00:21:04,670 --> 00:21:09,746 the Afghan army. In January 2021, Hazara 186 00:21:09,770 --> 00:21:13,846 demonstrators gathered in the town of Behsud. 187 00:21:13,870 --> 00:21:18,170 Government troops ended up opening fire on the crowd. 188 00:21:21,470 --> 00:21:25,346 Homes were burned, buildings destroyed, and 11 Hazaras were 189 00:21:25,370 --> 00:21:30,276 killed. Najibullah attended a funeral 190 00:21:30,300 --> 00:21:32,646 for some of the victims of the attack. 191 00:21:32,670 --> 00:21:37,600 (crowd mourning) QURAISHI: 192 00:21:39,470 --> 00:21:47,470 (speaking Arabic): QURAISHI: 193 00:21:57,970 --> 00:22:05,970 (speaking Arabic): NARRATOR: Seven weeks after 194 00:22:12,030 --> 00:22:15,546 the attack in Behsud, the Hazara commander, Alipur, announced his 195 00:22:15,570 --> 00:22:21,776 forces had taken revenge. Video captured an Afghan 196 00:22:21,800 --> 00:22:25,076 military helicopter being shot down by what was later 197 00:22:25,100 --> 00:22:29,106 identified as an Iranian-made guided missile similar to this 198 00:22:29,130 --> 00:22:37,130 one used in Syria. (loud explosion) 199 00:22:40,500 --> 00:22:44,046 Alipur later denied his Hazara militia was involved, but an 200 00:22:44,070 --> 00:22:49,046 Afghan parliamentary commission confirmed his responsibility. 201 00:22:49,070 --> 00:22:51,706 The government has vowed to punish those responsible for the 202 00:22:51,730 --> 00:22:55,646 attack, which left nine people dead. 203 00:22:55,670 --> 00:23:02,076 ♪ ♪ Back in Kabul, Najibullah meets 204 00:23:02,100 --> 00:23:08,546 with the spiritual leader of the Hazara, Mohammed Mohaqiq. 205 00:23:08,570 --> 00:23:11,546 He is also a member of the Afghan Parliament, and he says 206 00:23:11,570 --> 00:23:15,330 he is fearful of the consequence of the U.S. withdrawal. 207 00:23:16,100 --> 00:23:24,100 (speaking Arabic): Today President Biden 208 00:23:47,370 --> 00:23:51,806 reaffirmed that U.S. troops are leaving Afghanistan fast. 209 00:23:51,830 --> 00:23:54,876 NARRATOR: American forces are set to be out of Afghanistan by 210 00:23:54,900 --> 00:23:58,206 the end of August. Staying would have meant 211 00:23:58,230 --> 00:24:01,906 U.S. troops taking casualties... American men and women, back in 212 00:24:01,930 --> 00:24:05,806 the middle of a civil war. NARRATOR: The country now 213 00:24:05,830 --> 00:24:09,846 faces a future full of chaos, and continued war. 214 00:24:09,870 --> 00:24:13,446 Only Afghan forces remain, a force already facing dire 215 00:24:13,470 --> 00:24:17,706 circumstances as the Taliban sweeps through the country. 216 00:24:17,730 --> 00:24:19,806 The Taliban are gaining ground. 217 00:24:19,830 --> 00:24:22,406 The militants say they've taken more than ten districts... 218 00:24:22,430 --> 00:24:25,846 America's longest war may soon be coming to an end here. 219 00:24:25,870 --> 00:24:28,606 But Afghanistan's war is not over. 220 00:24:28,630 --> 00:24:31,576 NARRATOR: Just over two weeks after Najibullah's interview 221 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:34,506 with Mullah Niazi, the Taliban warlord was killed by unknown 222 00:24:34,530 --> 00:24:38,646 assassins. QURAISHI: It's more crazy 223 00:24:38,670 --> 00:24:42,846 than the past. It's worse than what I've seen 224 00:24:42,870 --> 00:24:47,146 in my life. NARRATOR: Niazi's eldest son 225 00:24:47,170 --> 00:24:52,576 was appointed the new leader and immediately swore vengeance. 226 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:55,546 QURAISHI: I grew up in the war. 227 00:24:55,570 --> 00:25:01,406 I have seen everything with my own eyes, but this time is more, 228 00:25:01,430 --> 00:25:06,946 more dangerous than the past. 229 00:25:06,970 --> 00:25:10,500 And I can see a civil war in Afghanistan again. 230 00:25:15,730 --> 00:25:20,746 NARRATOR: Coming up next on 231 00:25:20,770 --> 00:25:22,976 this special addition of FRONTLINE... 232 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:27,546 Politics and Rape in India... No rape examination is 233 00:25:27,570 --> 00:25:30,276 conducted, crucial evidence is lost. 234 00:25:30,300 --> 00:25:33,476 NARRATOR: Correspondent Ramita Navai investigates... 235 00:25:33,500 --> 00:25:36,776 It’s incredible how strong willed this woman is. 236 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:40,146 It’s a stunning, stunning story. NARRATOR: India’s Rape 237 00:25:40,170 --> 00:25:48,170 Scandal - Begins right now. 238 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:57,606 Another case has shocked the nation. 239 00:25:57,630 --> 00:26:00,306 RAMITA NAVAI: India has been experiencing a wave of 240 00:26:00,330 --> 00:26:03,506 shocking rape cases. There seems to be no end to 241 00:26:03,530 --> 00:26:07,306 the shock and horror, with brutal rapes being reported on 242 00:26:07,330 --> 00:26:09,406 a daily basis. NAVAI: The government 243 00:26:09,430 --> 00:26:12,806 has vowed zero tolerance. But dozens of politicians are 244 00:26:12,830 --> 00:26:17,246 facing charges of crimes against women, including nine recent 245 00:26:17,270 --> 00:26:20,276 rape cases. Another woman was raped and 246 00:26:20,300 --> 00:26:23,776 no case was registered despite her approach to the cops. 247 00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:27,306 NAVAI: And allegations of abuse and cover-up keep 248 00:26:27,330 --> 00:26:31,100 surfacing. ♪ ♪ 249 00:26:34,770 --> 00:26:41,270 ♪ ♪ (car horns) 250 00:26:43,930 --> 00:26:48,106 I traveled into India in March 2021, just before a 251 00:26:48,130 --> 00:26:52,606 lethal surge in COVID. I came to investigate two rape 252 00:26:52,630 --> 00:26:56,606 cases that had drawn police, politicians, and even the 253 00:26:56,630 --> 00:27:02,076 Indian prime minister into controversy. 254 00:27:02,100 --> 00:27:05,676 My destination was the state of Uttar Pradesh, home to more than 255 00:27:05,700 --> 00:27:11,146 200 million people. Uttar Pradesh is the most 256 00:27:11,170 --> 00:27:14,870 populous state in India and the most electorally significant. 257 00:27:15,100 --> 00:27:18,906 It also holds a less impressive statistic... it has the second- 258 00:27:18,930 --> 00:27:23,176 highest reported number of rapes in the whole country. 259 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:26,776 This is the woman behind one of the cases. 260 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:30,476 She told us that she's been receiving death threats and is 261 00:27:30,500 --> 00:27:34,376 under 24/7 police protection, making it impossible to do an 262 00:27:34,400 --> 00:27:38,106 on-camera interview with her. She's not been publicly 263 00:27:38,130 --> 00:27:42,576 identified, and we've agreed to call her Jaya. 264 00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:47,446 The man she accused of rape is Kuldeep Singh Sengar, then a 265 00:27:47,470 --> 00:27:51,646 powerful politician in India's ruling BJP party. 266 00:27:51,670 --> 00:27:55,306 He's now in prison for Jaya's rape, but still has a loyal 267 00:27:55,330 --> 00:28:00,576 following. ♪ ♪ 268 00:28:00,600 --> 00:28:03,546 We've pieced together the story of what happened from court 269 00:28:03,570 --> 00:28:08,106 records and our own reporting on the ground. 270 00:28:08,130 --> 00:28:10,876 We're following some local guides... they're on motorbikes 271 00:28:10,900 --> 00:28:13,106 up here ahead. We're trying to get into Jaya's 272 00:28:13,130 --> 00:28:16,576 village. Jaya and her family are from 273 00:28:16,600 --> 00:28:20,246 Unnao, the area Kuldeep Sengar represented in the state 274 00:28:20,270 --> 00:28:23,506 legislative assembly. They lived in the same village 275 00:28:23,530 --> 00:28:31,276 and were neighbors. What's happening? 276 00:28:31,300 --> 00:28:34,776 Somehow, word of our visit had reached the village. 277 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:39,246 Even though Sengar's in prison, he and his family still control 278 00:28:39,270 --> 00:28:42,346 the area. They explained they didn't want 279 00:28:42,370 --> 00:28:46,006 anyone associated with Sengar or his family to see them with 280 00:28:46,030 --> 00:28:50,446 foreign journalists. You're scared of being killed? 281 00:28:50,470 --> 00:28:56,476 He will not forgive anyone if someone's against him, 282 00:28:56,500 --> 00:28:58,806 against Kuldeep Singh Sengar. NAVAI: Right. 283 00:28:58,830 --> 00:29:01,276 Yeah. NAVAI: Someone who has known 284 00:29:01,300 --> 00:29:04,546 Sengar for years agreed to speak to me, as long as we 285 00:29:04,570 --> 00:29:12,000 concealed his identity. (speaking Hindi): 286 00:29:31,870 --> 00:29:36,446 NAVAI: In June 2017, Jaya, then 16 years old, was asked to 287 00:29:36,470 --> 00:29:39,506 visit Sengar's house for a job interview. 288 00:29:39,530 --> 00:29:44,000 In her court testimony, she described what happened next. 289 00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:52,346 The door opened. We reached the courtyard. 290 00:29:52,370 --> 00:29:56,300 Sengar caught me by my hand and dragged me to his room. 291 00:29:58,030 --> 00:30:02,506 He stripped me of my clothes. He closed the door and subjected 292 00:30:02,530 --> 00:30:07,706 me to a sexual assault. When I opposed, he said, "If you 293 00:30:07,730 --> 00:30:13,376 raise a voice, I will murder you." 294 00:30:13,400 --> 00:30:16,446 NAVAI: Jaya has testified initially, she told only her 295 00:30:16,470 --> 00:30:19,676 aunt. But afterwards, some men who 296 00:30:19,700 --> 00:30:23,146 worked with Sengar went looking for her. 297 00:30:23,170 --> 00:30:26,446 Just days after Jaya was raped by Sengar, she was kidnapped 298 00:30:26,470 --> 00:30:29,976 from her village, bundled into a car, and brought here to the 299 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:32,706 town of Kanpur, where she says she was held in a house and 300 00:30:32,730 --> 00:30:36,176 gang-raped for over a week. In testimony and public 301 00:30:36,200 --> 00:30:39,870 statements, Jaya described what she said happened to her. 302 00:30:40,570 --> 00:30:43,376 The men took turns to rape me. 303 00:30:43,400 --> 00:30:46,930 I recognized two of them as Sengar's men. 304 00:30:48,030 --> 00:30:52,246 They kept me on sedatives. Once, I even tried to flee, but 305 00:30:52,270 --> 00:30:59,276 I was caught and sedated again. NAVAI: After eight days, 306 00:30:59,300 --> 00:31:02,446 police found Jaya alone in a house. 307 00:31:02,470 --> 00:31:05,176 They took down the names of the men she said kidnapped and 308 00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:09,506 raped her, but they refused to register her rape allegation 309 00:31:09,530 --> 00:31:15,946 against Sengar. ♪ ♪ 310 00:31:15,970 --> 00:31:20,006 People are petrified of Kuldeep Sengar. 311 00:31:20,030 --> 00:31:24,076 He is exceptionally strong locally, financially, 312 00:31:24,100 --> 00:31:27,976 politically, backed by goons, by thugs. 313 00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:31,346 NAVAI: Journalist Aishwarya Iyer has investigated the rape 314 00:31:31,370 --> 00:31:34,576 case and other criminal allegations against Sengar 315 00:31:34,600 --> 00:31:38,176 going back years. Her allegation is that she 316 00:31:38,200 --> 00:31:40,406 tried to get a complaint registered against Kuldeep 317 00:31:40,430 --> 00:31:45,076 Sengar, but his name was repeatedly dropped. 318 00:31:45,100 --> 00:31:47,906 NAVAI: The Uttar Pradesh police did not respond to our 319 00:31:47,930 --> 00:31:52,046 requests for comment. A former head of the force told 320 00:31:52,070 --> 00:31:55,406 me the case reflects a disturbing trend of politicians 321 00:31:55,430 --> 00:32:03,430 interfering in police matters. ♪ ♪ 322 00:32:18,930 --> 00:32:22,206 NAVAI: Jaya wouldn't give up. After two months, she went to 323 00:32:22,230 --> 00:32:25,676 the state capital, Lucknow, where the chief minister was 324 00:32:25,700 --> 00:32:27,946 holding an open meeting for people to present their 325 00:32:27,970 --> 00:32:31,406 concerns. The chief minister of Uttar 326 00:32:31,430 --> 00:32:35,046 Pradesh is Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu nationalist who's also one 327 00:32:35,070 --> 00:32:37,406 of the most powerful men in the country. 328 00:32:37,430 --> 00:32:39,776 Within a year of becoming chief minister, he ordered the 329 00:32:39,800 --> 00:32:42,606 withdrawal of thousands of criminal cases against 330 00:32:42,630 --> 00:32:46,276 politicians. These cases included violence 331 00:32:46,300 --> 00:32:49,846 against women. Adityanath is a senior member 332 00:32:49,870 --> 00:32:54,076 of the ruling BJP party, and often touted as a future Indian 333 00:32:54,100 --> 00:32:57,776 prime minister. Jaya told us she was able to 334 00:32:57,800 --> 00:33:01,076 meet him and he assured her that her allegations would be dealt 335 00:33:01,100 --> 00:33:04,270 with. He then asked her to leave. 336 00:33:07,330 --> 00:33:15,330 (speaking Hindi): NAVAI: I.P. Singh was 337 00:33:15,370 --> 00:33:19,606 expelled from the BJP in 2019 after calling its top leadership 338 00:33:19,630 --> 00:33:24,700 thugs. (speaking Hindi): 339 00:33:33,730 --> 00:33:41,730 (continues in Hindi): NAVAI: Court documents show 340 00:33:59,130 --> 00:34:02,376 the chief minister's office passed Jaya's allegations to 341 00:34:02,400 --> 00:34:06,476 the police, but no action was taken. 342 00:34:06,500 --> 00:34:09,976 Meanwhile, Sengar telephoned Jaya's uncle to pressure her to 343 00:34:10,000 --> 00:34:12,876 stay silent. I've been given a recording of 344 00:34:12,900 --> 00:34:16,400 one of these calls, later used in evidence. 345 00:34:16,870 --> 00:34:24,870 (both speaking Hindi) NAVAI: But Jaya didn't drop 346 00:34:32,030 --> 00:34:36,206 the accusation. In April 2018, Jaya's father, 347 00:34:36,230 --> 00:34:40,406 Surendra, was attacked by a group of men he said were led by 348 00:34:40,430 --> 00:34:44,946 Sengar's brother Atul Singh. A journalist filmed Surendra 349 00:34:44,970 --> 00:34:47,900 afterwards, inside the police station. 350 00:34:48,300 --> 00:34:55,976 (speaking Hindi): MAN (speaking Hindi): 351 00:34:56,000 --> 00:35:04,000 SURENDRA: NAVAI: Instead of helping 352 00:35:04,200 --> 00:35:08,446 Surendra, local police officers arrested him, claiming he 353 00:35:08,470 --> 00:35:12,376 owned an illegal weapon. Phone records show that Sengar 354 00:35:12,400 --> 00:35:17,146 spoke to the officers ten times during this period. 355 00:35:17,170 --> 00:35:22,946 Surendra suffered internal injuries and would later die. 356 00:35:22,970 --> 00:35:27,446 ♪ ♪ After the attack, Jaya, her 357 00:35:27,470 --> 00:35:30,370 mother, and sister went to the chief minister's residence. 358 00:35:31,230 --> 00:35:36,176 (speaking Hindi): NAVAI: Jaya doused herself in 359 00:35:36,200 --> 00:35:40,146 kerosene. The girl tried to burn 360 00:35:40,170 --> 00:35:42,146 herself. Obviously, she wanted media 361 00:35:42,170 --> 00:35:44,470 attention, she wanted someone to listen. 362 00:35:44,830 --> 00:35:47,576 (sobbing loudly) The policemen and security 363 00:35:47,600 --> 00:35:51,376 put blankets on her and ensured that she wouldn't die. 364 00:35:51,400 --> 00:35:54,570 But I think that's when we all woke up. 365 00:35:54,970 --> 00:36:01,546 (speaking Hindi): NAVAI: Until this moment, 366 00:36:01,570 --> 00:36:05,776 Jaya's case had received little publicity. 367 00:36:05,800 --> 00:36:09,376 Now there was a national outcry about it. 368 00:36:09,400 --> 00:36:14,576 (crowd chanting) Sengar publicly confronted the 369 00:36:14,600 --> 00:36:21,800 allegations for the first time. (speaking Hindi): 370 00:36:25,230 --> 00:36:27,976 NAVAI: The controversy drew in India's prime minister, 371 00:36:28,000 --> 00:36:31,770 Narendra Modi, who has promised zero tolerance for rape. 372 00:36:32,430 --> 00:36:40,430 (speaking Hindi): NAVAI: The prime minister 373 00:36:47,030 --> 00:36:51,406 ordered in federal detectives. Within days, Kuldeep Singh 374 00:36:51,430 --> 00:36:54,806 Sengar was arrested. It was ten months since Jaya 375 00:36:54,830 --> 00:36:59,930 first went to the police. (speaking Hindi): 376 00:37:01,030 --> 00:37:05,146 NAVAI: He was later charged with rape and manslaughter. 377 00:37:05,170 --> 00:37:07,976 We asked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for comment on how 378 00:37:08,000 --> 00:37:10,976 the case was handled, but he didn't respond. 379 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:15,700 Publicly, he rejected criticisms that Sengar had been protected. 380 00:37:16,500 --> 00:37:24,500 (speaking Hindi): NAVAI: A month before Jaya 381 00:37:32,300 --> 00:37:35,806 was due to give evidence in Sengar's trial, there was a new 382 00:37:35,830 --> 00:37:39,476 development. Jaya, her two aunts, and her 383 00:37:39,500 --> 00:37:42,546 lawyer were traveling to a meeting. 384 00:37:42,570 --> 00:37:46,146 That day, the police security detail protecting her wasn't 385 00:37:46,170 --> 00:37:54,170 with her. (sirens, screams) 386 00:37:54,870 --> 00:37:58,446 Jaya never reached her destination. 387 00:37:58,470 --> 00:38:02,406 Their car was rammed by a truck with blacked-out plates. 388 00:38:02,430 --> 00:38:05,106 A rape survivor who suffered critical injuries in 389 00:38:05,130 --> 00:38:09,246 a car-truck collision was airlifted to New Delhi. 390 00:38:09,270 --> 00:38:12,430 NAVAI: Her two aunts and her lawyer died. 391 00:38:15,770 --> 00:38:21,806 Only Jaya would survive. From prison, Sengar denied he 392 00:38:21,830 --> 00:38:24,470 had anything to do with the crash. 393 00:38:25,070 --> 00:38:32,830 MAN (speaking Hindi): SENGAR (speaking Hindi): 394 00:38:39,200 --> 00:38:45,876 (indistinct chatter) (car horn beeps) 395 00:38:45,900 --> 00:38:49,806 NAVAI: India's Supreme Court ordered 24/7 police protection 396 00:38:49,830 --> 00:38:53,806 for Jaya, and moved Sengar's trial from his home state to 397 00:38:53,830 --> 00:38:57,906 the capital, Delhi. (horns beeping) 398 00:38:57,930 --> 00:39:01,546 I really had to be there. There was heavy security 399 00:39:01,570 --> 00:39:04,476 outside. Sengar was brought in. 400 00:39:04,500 --> 00:39:07,346 He seemed scared, he was... He was nervous about what the 401 00:39:07,370 --> 00:39:10,376 judge was going to say. I mean, at that time, we didn't 402 00:39:10,400 --> 00:39:12,806 even know if the girl was going to survive or not. 403 00:39:12,830 --> 00:39:16,146 They set up a makeshift court in hospital for her to give her 404 00:39:16,170 --> 00:39:19,746 statement. And the judge said that her 405 00:39:19,770 --> 00:39:23,306 testimony was unblemished, truthful, and of sterling 406 00:39:23,330 --> 00:39:26,246 quality. This case came to the 407 00:39:26,270 --> 00:39:29,806 conclusion with the finding that Kuldeep Sengar has been 408 00:39:29,830 --> 00:39:33,746 convicted for rape under 376 IPC... 409 00:39:33,770 --> 00:39:37,046 NAVAI: Sengar received life in prison for Jaya's rape, and 410 00:39:37,070 --> 00:39:42,706 ten years for manslaughter. Seven others, including two 411 00:39:42,730 --> 00:39:46,106 police officers, were also sent to prison for their roles in the 412 00:39:46,130 --> 00:39:50,346 killing of Jaya's father. The men charged with kidnapping 413 00:39:50,370 --> 00:39:54,900 and gang-raping Jaya are still awaiting trial. 414 00:39:57,230 --> 00:40:02,176 It's incredible how strong- willed this woman is. 415 00:40:02,200 --> 00:40:08,306 To see death so close, to see your family being consumed by a 416 00:40:08,330 --> 00:40:12,676 complaint that you are raising, and to still be at it, how you 417 00:40:12,700 --> 00:40:14,976 are, I think that's why it's significant. 418 00:40:15,000 --> 00:40:22,046 It's a stunning, stunning story. ♪ ♪ 419 00:40:22,070 --> 00:40:25,606 NAVAI: Nine months later, another alarming rape case, 420 00:40:25,630 --> 00:40:29,506 in the Hathras area of Uttar Pradesh, raised more allegations 421 00:40:29,530 --> 00:40:33,276 of political cover-up. We're about to meet a 422 00:40:33,300 --> 00:40:36,346 journalist, Nidhi Suresh, who's been investigating the Hathras 423 00:40:36,370 --> 00:40:40,106 alleged gang rape and the alleged cover-ups, and she says 424 00:40:40,130 --> 00:40:42,606 she's got information to share with us. 425 00:40:42,630 --> 00:40:47,406 In September 2020, she spotted tweets from a family asking for 426 00:40:47,430 --> 00:40:51,306 help because their 19-year-old daughter Manisha Valmiki said 427 00:40:51,330 --> 00:40:54,470 she'd been raped by four neighbors. 428 00:40:55,500 --> 00:40:58,006 When we got there, there was zero press. 429 00:40:58,030 --> 00:41:02,170 Her mother and her aunt walked us to the crime scene. 430 00:41:05,300 --> 00:41:09,076 It was just a small clearing. Which, by the way, the police 431 00:41:09,100 --> 00:41:12,870 had not sealed, right? It was open completely. 432 00:41:14,570 --> 00:41:17,976 She just kept saying, "Something bad happened to my daughter, 433 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:21,376 something bad happened to my daughter," and she spoke about 434 00:41:21,400 --> 00:41:24,130 how she found her without any clothes. 435 00:41:24,530 --> 00:41:32,530 (speaking Hindi, crying): (sobbing) 436 00:41:36,330 --> 00:41:44,330 ♪ ♪ NAVAI: We travel to 437 00:41:44,470 --> 00:41:47,376 Manisha's village. The Indian caste system is 438 00:41:47,400 --> 00:41:50,606 powerful here. Manisha's family is from a 439 00:41:50,630 --> 00:41:53,646 lower caste. The men she said raped her are 440 00:41:53,670 --> 00:41:57,576 Thakurs, an influential high caste who own the majority of 441 00:41:57,600 --> 00:42:01,706 land here, and include many police officers and politicians 442 00:42:01,730 --> 00:42:05,770 like the chief minister, Yogi Adityanath. 443 00:42:07,730 --> 00:42:11,806 The parents of the men Manisha accused agreed to meet me. 444 00:42:11,830 --> 00:42:15,046 Their sons are in jail awaiting trial. 445 00:42:15,070 --> 00:42:18,546 They insisted that Manisha hadn't been raped, but that her 446 00:42:18,570 --> 00:42:21,806 own family had beaten her up as punishment for having a 447 00:42:21,830 --> 00:42:24,800 relationship with one of the accused men. 448 00:42:25,330 --> 00:42:33,330 (speaking Hindi): (speaking Hindi): 449 00:42:48,970 --> 00:42:51,776 NAVAI: After Manisha's mother found her, she was taken 450 00:42:51,800 --> 00:42:55,406 to the local police station to report the attack. 451 00:42:55,430 --> 00:42:58,500 She'd been strangled and her spinal cord was damaged. 452 00:42:58,700 --> 00:43:01,900 A journalist happened to be there and filmed her. 453 00:43:02,530 --> 00:43:09,570 MAN (speaking Hindi): MANISHA (speaking Hindi): 454 00:43:14,170 --> 00:43:16,676 NAVAI: In their report, the police noted she'd been 455 00:43:16,700 --> 00:43:21,130 violently assaulted, but did not include her allegation of rape. 456 00:43:23,900 --> 00:43:26,876 Eventually, Manisha was taken to Aligarh Hospital. 457 00:43:26,900 --> 00:43:34,900 Manisha's cousin was with her. (speaking Hindi): 458 00:43:46,030 --> 00:43:48,406 NAVAI: Three days later, as the story began to get out, 459 00:43:48,430 --> 00:43:51,600 Manisha was filmed by another local journalist. 460 00:43:52,170 --> 00:44:00,170 (speaking Hindi): The hospital has not asked 461 00:44:14,400 --> 00:44:18,206 her if there's been a sexual assault. 462 00:44:18,230 --> 00:44:20,006 No rape examination is conducted. 463 00:44:20,030 --> 00:44:23,576 Crucial evidence is lost. So according to the family, the 464 00:44:23,600 --> 00:44:28,176 doctors tell them that till they have a police complaint which 465 00:44:28,200 --> 00:44:31,746 registers rape, they're not going to do anything about it. 466 00:44:31,770 --> 00:44:34,276 NAVAI: The family went back to the police to try to get them 467 00:44:34,300 --> 00:44:39,330 to record the rape allegation. (speaking Hindi): 468 00:44:59,870 --> 00:45:02,246 NAVAI: No one from the police would respond to our questions 469 00:45:02,270 --> 00:45:05,806 about how the case was handled. But according to official 470 00:45:05,830 --> 00:45:09,976 records, it wasn't until eight days later, as media reporting 471 00:45:10,000 --> 00:45:13,346 was gaining pace, that the police fully registered the rape 472 00:45:13,370 --> 00:45:16,946 allegations and asked doctors at the hospital to gather forensic 473 00:45:16,970 --> 00:45:20,206 evidence. They don't find semen. 474 00:45:20,230 --> 00:45:22,876 But again, it's been too long after the incident. 475 00:45:22,900 --> 00:45:25,746 One of the doctors we spoke to said there were quite a few 476 00:45:25,770 --> 00:45:29,846 people among them, the medical staff, who were asked to sign 477 00:45:29,870 --> 00:45:33,006 a statement saying she did not look raped. 478 00:45:33,030 --> 00:45:35,446 NAVAI: We spoke to several doctors involved in Manisha's 479 00:45:35,470 --> 00:45:39,106 treatment, but they were too frightened to appear on camera. 480 00:45:39,130 --> 00:45:42,946 They told us police and local officials asked them to downplay 481 00:45:42,970 --> 00:45:50,970 any evidence of rape. ♪ ♪ 482 00:45:51,070 --> 00:45:54,046 By now, Manisha's case had captured the attention of 483 00:45:54,070 --> 00:45:58,146 Chandrashekhar Azad, who leads the Bhim Army, which fights for 484 00:45:58,170 --> 00:46:04,900 lower-caste rights. (speaking Hindi): 485 00:46:13,600 --> 00:46:16,746 NAVAI: Chandrashekhar recorded his journey to Hathras, 486 00:46:16,770 --> 00:46:20,200 swapping vehicles to dodge the police. 487 00:46:21,100 --> 00:46:29,100 (speaking Hindi): NAVAI: He reached Manisha and 488 00:46:42,600 --> 00:46:50,600 began filming. (speaking Hindi): 489 00:47:03,000 --> 00:47:06,146 NAVAI: Fearing Manisha would not survive, her family had a 490 00:47:06,170 --> 00:47:10,100 video statement from her made that could be used in court. 491 00:47:11,330 --> 00:47:16,276 MAN (speaking Hindi): MANISHA (speaking Hindi): 492 00:47:16,300 --> 00:47:20,876 MAN: MANISHA: 493 00:47:20,900 --> 00:47:26,400 MAN: MANISHA: 494 00:47:29,930 --> 00:47:32,976 By then, she had suffered paralysis on all four of her 495 00:47:33,000 --> 00:47:35,230 limbs, she was having breathing difficulties. 496 00:47:36,230 --> 00:47:39,076 There were protests outside the hospital. 497 00:47:39,100 --> 00:47:46,046 And on 29th, she passed away. NAVAI: That evening, 498 00:47:46,070 --> 00:47:48,846 journalists followed the police taking Manisha's body back to 499 00:47:48,870 --> 00:47:51,706 her village. The family's request for an 500 00:47:51,730 --> 00:47:55,106 independent postmortem were ignored. 501 00:47:55,130 --> 00:48:03,130 (crowd clamoring) (speaking Hindi): 502 00:48:22,230 --> 00:48:30,230 (speaking Hindi): (people sobbing and wailing) 503 00:48:32,430 --> 00:48:36,800 (speaking Hindi): (speaking Hindi, crying): 504 00:48:50,530 --> 00:48:53,476 NAVAI: Manisha's cousin told me the family were confined to 505 00:48:53,500 --> 00:48:56,976 their homes. And in the dead of night, the 506 00:48:57,000 --> 00:49:05,000 police cremated her body. (speaking Hindi): 507 00:49:15,070 --> 00:49:23,070 ♪ ♪ NAVAI: In the aftermath, one 508 00:49:25,300 --> 00:49:28,906 of Uttar Pradesh's most senior police officers denied Manisha 509 00:49:28,930 --> 00:49:35,430 had ever been raped. (speaking Hindi): 510 00:49:39,630 --> 00:49:42,006 NAVAI: Some BJP politicians also publicly denied any rape 511 00:49:42,030 --> 00:49:46,870 had happened. (speaking Hindi): 512 00:49:51,970 --> 00:49:55,576 NAVAI: The day after Manisha was cremated, her family was 513 00:49:55,600 --> 00:49:58,446 visited by the district magistrate, who encouraged them 514 00:49:58,470 --> 00:50:03,000 to withdraw the rape allegation. Neeraj filmed him. 515 00:50:04,030 --> 00:50:12,030 (speaking Hindi): (speaking Hindi): 516 00:50:38,930 --> 00:50:42,206 NAVAI: The video went viral and fueled more unrest around 517 00:50:42,230 --> 00:50:45,376 the case. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath 518 00:50:45,400 --> 00:50:49,506 blamed the outrage on opposition parties and an international 519 00:50:49,530 --> 00:50:54,646 conspiracy to undermine him. The trial of the four men 520 00:50:54,670 --> 00:50:58,446 Manisha accused has been delayed by COVID. 521 00:50:58,470 --> 00:51:01,306 Their lawyer claims Manisha's video statements about the rape 522 00:51:01,330 --> 00:51:05,276 were fabricated. There have been allegations 523 00:51:05,300 --> 00:51:09,846 that the chief minister, Yogi Adityanath's office, has been 524 00:51:09,870 --> 00:51:13,776 trying to cover up this gang rape, that he's been trying to 525 00:51:13,800 --> 00:51:21,570 protect the accused. (speaking Hindi): 526 00:51:29,730 --> 00:51:33,576 ♪ ♪ NAVAI: Cases like Manisha's 527 00:51:33,600 --> 00:51:37,876 and Jaya's continue to polarize India, pitting politics against 528 00:51:37,900 --> 00:51:42,906 families' search for justice. One of India's most respected 529 00:51:42,930 --> 00:51:46,906 and senior legal figures told me these cases should be a wake-up 530 00:51:46,930 --> 00:51:51,076 call for more accountability when it comes to violence 531 00:51:51,100 --> 00:51:57,676 against women. It's completely inexplicable. 532 00:51:57,700 --> 00:52:01,776 Why should anybody, you know... (chuckling): I mean, not only 533 00:52:01,800 --> 00:52:04,846 the prime minister, not only the chief minister... why should 534 00:52:04,870 --> 00:52:08,406 anybody, you know, remain silent when something like this 535 00:52:08,430 --> 00:52:11,100 happens, you know? They should speak out. 536 00:52:11,770 --> 00:52:14,376 It doesn't matter who the perpetrator is. 537 00:52:14,400 --> 00:52:19,076 The government, the state, the police machinery... everybody... 538 00:52:19,100 --> 00:52:23,130 Should come out in the open and say that this is wrong. 539 00:52:34,100 --> 00:52:37,676 Go to pbs.org/frontline for 540 00:52:37,700 --> 00:52:39,876 an interview with Correspondent Ramita Navai. 541 00:52:39,900 --> 00:52:43,346 It has the second highest reported number of rapes 542 00:52:43,370 --> 00:52:46,806 in the whole country. Learn more about the 543 00:52:46,830 --> 00:52:50,246 Fatemiyoun Brigade - and why it makes the Taliban nervous. 544 00:52:50,270 --> 00:52:54,606 Revisit our films on nearly 20 years of war in Afghanistan. 545 00:52:54,630 --> 00:52:57,646 Connect with FRONTLINE on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and 546 00:52:57,670 --> 00:53:03,600 TikTok and stream anytime on the PBS App or pbs.org/frontline. 547 00:53:22,930 --> 00:53:25,006 Captioned by 548 00:53:25,030 --> 00:53:30,270 Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org 549 00:53:31,430 --> 00:53:34,206 For more on this and other "Frontline" programs, visit our 550 00:53:34,230 --> 00:53:40,000 website at pbs.org/frontline. ♪ ♪ 551 00:53:46,470 --> 00:53:48,346 FRONTLINE's, "Leaving Afghanistan" and 552 00:53:48,370 --> 00:53:51,476 "India's Rape Scandal" are available on Amazon 553 00:53:51,500 --> 00:53:54,370 Prime Video. ♪ ♪