Raipur: Shop of Child Rape Accused Abdul Sajjad Ansari Bulldozed by Municipal Authorities

The Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) on Wednesday demolished the shop of Abdul Sajjad Ansari, a 55-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl. The shop had been constructed illegally on government land near Jhanda Chowk, Raja Talab, prompting the civic authorities to take action after multiple notices to the accused went unheeded.

Officials said the demolition was carried out under tight security, with teams from the district administration and the local ward office present at the site. According to the RMC, complaints regarding illegal encroachments in the area had been received earlier, and Ansari was issued three notices to submit property-related documents and vacate the premises. However, he neither cleared the site nor removed his belongings, leading to the enforcement action.

Action Taken Under Mayor’s Directive

In an official statement, the RMC said that the demolition was carried out under the instructions of Raipur Mayor Meenal Chaube. The action targeted Ansari’s illegal construction on government land, as well as similar unauthorized structures belonging to Yaqoob Khan and Munawwar Khan. In total, three structures, covering approximately 700 square feet of encroached land, were demolished, and the land was reclaimed by the authorities.

Sharing photographs of the demolition on social media, Mayor Chaube said, “The Raipur Municipal Corporation has acted against the person who stole the childhood of a young girl.”

Background of the Case

Police stated that Ansari was arrested on January 11 for repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor girl. He reportedly ran a small shop in the locality selling bangles, snacks, and sweets, and allegedly lured the child into his home on multiple occasions.

Political Reactions

Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Congress condemned the demolition. Sushil Anand Shukla, head of the state party’s communication department, accused the government of using bulldozer actions to mask administrative failures. He stated that the demolition reflected the state administration’s inability to maintain law and order and reliance on unconstitutional measures. Shukla added that since the BJP assumed power in the state, law and order had deteriorated, leaving the government ineffective in preventing criminal incidents.