the Outlook story of the Muzaffarnagar gang rape women

. the Outlook story of the Muzaffarnagar gang rape women

As the lawyer of these 7 women in Supreme Court, I must tell you that despite a judgment from the Supreme Court in March 2014, all that they have received is security guards and compensation, not justice.Here too one woman is yet to receive compensation. These 7 women are determined and want the men who committed these crimes punished. Only 3 of 24 accused have been arrested, the women and their families are being threatened and intimidated. The UP police says they are helpless and can't trace and arrest the accused. The gang rapes took place on 8th November 2013, FIRs were filed between Nov- Dec 2013, the women have named all the accused who gang raped them. Almost 8 months have passed, no prosecution, no trial has begun. I am now moving a Contempt Petition in the Supreme Court. The burden to secure justice lies heavily on the women survivors and their lawyers. Ensuring justice for these women is not the responsibility of any state authority, no state functionary. On behalf of these 7 women I have filed over a dozen applications with UP Police, administration, and the Chief Minister. In the applications I have stated that the women Investigating Officer is complict with the accused and should be removed. Not a single application has been acknowledged by any state authority. Only the Natioanl M indorities Commission has heard them respectfully and raised their issues with the UP administration.

Supporting the struggle for justice of these 7 women are their husbands', this to my mind is a very significant change. The husband of one of the women is looking after the cases and hence facing a serious threat to his life.

Also the petition in the Supreme Court was made possible due to support of activists like Shanbnam Hashhmi and Amir from ANHAD; Seema Misra, Shubhangi and Neeti from  AALI Lucknow; Nilanju and Suneeta Dhar from Jagori. 

In the Supreme Court my office and Kamini Jaiswal have been doing their case. 

I am now filing a Contempt petition for non compliance with the Supreme Court judgment. I only wish the Supreme Court knew what meagre resources I have at my disposal to keep approaching the Court for justice, while the State brazenly flouts the directive of the Court.

Vrinda

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