Rage over rape

On the night of December 16, 2012, a 23 year old paramedical student from Dehra Dun was gangraped and brutally tortured on a moving bus in New Delhi. Almost four days since then, she has undergone five surgeries and is battling for her life. An outraged nation is demanding there be stringent punishment for rape. Here’s the story of that incident.

A 23-year-old para-medical student was in a "critical condition" after she was allegedly raped and brutally assaulted by four men who also attacked her male friend and threw both of them out of the vehicle, in yet another shocking crime against women in the capital. In a late night development, Ram Singh, the driver of the bus in which the girl was raped, was arrested. Singh was one of the persons who raped the girl. The victim, who is pursuing the course in Uttarakhand and is in the capital for her internship, was battling for life at the Safdarjung Hospital where she was rushed after the incident which sparked outrage. Both the girl and her male friend, who had boarded the chartered bus with tinted glass windows from Munirka in south Delhi around 9.45 PM to Palam, were assaulted with an iron rod by the men after the two resisted before they were dumped on the road side near Mahipalpur flyover.

Chhaya Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South, told reporters, that both the girl and boy had "put up a fight" with the men. She also said seven people appeared to be inside the bus but only four were involved in the incident. Sharma said both victims are under treatment and police got some clues from the male friend.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the permit of the bus has been cancelled by the Transport Department. She also said necessary action would be taken to ensure such incidents do not happen in future. Condemning the incident, NCW chairperson Mamata Sharma said, "Such incidents are increasing in Delhi. Police and government should be really alert...We will get an inquiry done and will also enquire with police as to what action has been taken."

A woman is raped every 22 minutes in India but for once, Parliament was not adjourned on Dec 18, 2012 as enraged lawmakers asked for death penalty for the six rapists. Ordinary citizens took to the streets of Delhi, demanding answers from government. Students staged protest outside the homes of Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, where police used water jets to disperse the protestors. BJP leaders protested outside the Parliament.  A candlelight vigil was held at India Gate as over 500 people gathered, praying for the victim and demanding justice. Online petitions seeking justice for the girl found their way on social media. Soon the spontaneous movements spread all over the country as protests were held in Varanasi, Kanpur and Mumbai demanding death penalty for rapists.

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INDIA'S SHAME Trial in Delhi gangrape case to begin from Jan 3, 2013

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Following is the text of the statement made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Dec 24, 2012 on the gangrape issue:

"My fellow citizens,

"There is genuine and justified anger and anguish at the ghastly crime of gang-rape committed last Sunday (Dec 16, 2012) in Delhi. As a father of three daughters myself, I feel as strongly about this as each one of you. My wife, my family and I are all joined in our concern for the young woman who was the victim of this heinous crime. We are constantly monitoring her medical condition. Let us all pray for her and her loved ones during this critical time.

"I also feel deeply sad at the turn of events leading to clashes between protesters and police forces. Anger at this crime is justified but violence will serve no purpose. I appeal to all concerned citizens to maintain peace and calm. I assure you that we will make all possible efforts to ensure security and safety of women in this country. The Home Minister has already spoken about the steps being taken.

"We will examine without delay not only the responses to this terrible crime but also all aspects concerning the safety of women and children and punishment to those who commit these monstrous crimes. Our Government will keep you informed of the steps we are taking and the processes we are following.

"I appeal to all sections of society to maintain peace and help us in our efforts."

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Tihar inmates thrash Delhi bus gangrape accused, force him to consume human excreta

Even Tihar Jail inmates couldn't stand the horror of the Delhi bus gangrape case. This came to light when the inmates beat up Mukesh, the main accused in the Delhi bus gangrape case, in the jail. Sources in the jail said Mukesh was also forced to consume human excreta and urine. After the attack, jail authorities have decided to lodge him separate from other inmates.

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 Delhi gangrape protests: The six mistakes of the government 

The anti-rape protesters were lathicharged on Sunday as some sections of the crowd turned violent at India Gate. However, those beaten and injured also included women protesters. They complained that there were no warning and the police simply went on to lathicharge protesters. The police also used water cannons and tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.

The question is as to where did the government go wrong. Following are the six mistakes of the government while handling the protests:

1. Totally misread how widespread anger against quality of policing was fuelling protests

2. Total absence of quick demonstrative action, except for issuing standard statements

3. The Home Ministry publicly praising the Delhi Police, even as massive protests were on

4. The absence of an acceptable, credible leader who could engage with protesters at India Gate

5. Lack of uniform, cohesive approach to handling young protesters

6. Using force on peaceful women, youth on Saturday, fuelling more protests on Sunday

  

If sacking the police commissioner improves safety for women, do it every day

 The Commissioner of Delhi Police, Neeraj Kumar, has justified the police action on those protesting against the gangrape of a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus in the national capital, saying it was not possible for them to separate protesters from anti-social elements. The police commissioner asserted that he was not under any pressure to resign and would continue to work till the government had faith in him. "If we do only police bashing, it is not going to lead us anywhere...if sacking the police commissioner improves the safety of women, then do it every day," said Neeraj Kumar, as he refused to apologise for the police action against the protesters.

The Delhi police commissioner also refused to concede if he had expressed regret before Delhi Lt Governor Tejinder Khanna over the crackdown on protesters. Pointing that "in a crackdown, there is always collateral damage", Neeraj Kumar hit out at the media, accusing it of fuelling the violence on Sunday (Dec 23, 2012), adding that the police had "not mishandled the situation".

He further said that, if an innocent person has come to harm, I apologise. I feel sorry for that. But I do not apologise for what the police did there. When asked if the people did not have the right to protest, a defiant police commissioner continued to justify his stand, saying, "People do have the right to protest, but they cannot protest in area where section 144 is imposed, they cannot protest in area where preparation is going on for January 26."

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, while justifying the disproportionate use of force on protesters at India Gate, said he cannot be expected to go meet the demonstrators or the Maoists.

 SHAMELESS INDIA

 Poor conviction rate in rape cases remains a major worry

 A woman is raped every 22 minutes in India

 ·        Rape forms almost 10% of all crimes against women. Total number of crimes against women in 2011 was 2, 28, 650

·        Since 1971, the population of the country has gone up by 100%. Instances of rape have gone up by 873.3%

·        In 2011, women aged b/w 18-30 yrs formed a bulk of the victims (13, 264). Shockingly, there were 4, 646 victims b/w the ages of 14-18 yrs

Some rape incidents – a turn back:-

October 2003:

Swiss diplomat raped in Delhi

            In Dec 2008, the Crime Branch of Police filed a closure report with a city court. The police claimed that they could not trace a single suspect.

May 08, 2005

Delhi Univ Student raped in Delhi

            One of the accused was arrested on May 13, 2005; 3 absconding. The accused was handed a life sentence on Dec 09, 2009 by a city court.

Jan 05, 2009

MBA student raped near Noida

            All the accused were arrested on Jan 06, 2009, but released on bail.

Nov 26, 2010

BPO Employee gangrape ion Delhi

            Two of the accused w3ere arrested on Dec 02, 2010. They are still in jail. The other two are absconding

Feb 01, 2011

Salesgirl pushed out of train in Kochi, raped

            In Nov 2011, a fast-track court held the accused guilty and handed him death sentence. He is now in jail.

Sep 17, 2012

Woman gangraped and filmed in Delhi

            Victim’s live-in partner, who was one of the rapists, was arrested on Sep 25,  2012. Others still on the run.

Nov 05, 2012

Spanish woman raped in Mumbai

On Nov 08, 2012, the victim identified the accused. The accused is in jail now
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Under pressure for visible action due to relentless protests, Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna announced immediate suspension of Assistant Commissioners of Police Mohan Singh and Yad Ram for failure to prevent the gruesome incident. Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said the charge-sheet in the case would be filed.
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DoT: women helpline number to ‘181’

The Telecom Ministry suggested a three-digit number (‘181’) as women helpline number.  Amidst nationwide uproar over brutal gang-rape of a 23-year old paramedic student, the Telecom Ministry for the first time in two years released a three-digit number, 167, for women helpline. However, “upon request for a number that would be easier to recollect”, the number has been changed to ‘181’.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had requested Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal to allot a three-digit phone number for helping women in distress. Though DoT has limited resource in respect of three-digit numbers, yet within two hours of the request, a three-digit number has been allotted for Chief Minister’s helpline. This is the first three-digit number to have been allotted in two years.