NSA slapped on sex scandal accused

This is perhaps the for the first time that NSA has been slapped on persons involved in a sex scandal. The Act has normally been implemented for gansters, and at times politicians (like Madan Bhaia of Khekra) but for other offences.

In his order, the DM said that the accused were being booked under this Act because he was convinced with the suggestion that they could disrupt public order in the district.

The provisions of NSA will ensure that the accused remained in jail for sometime, as the Uttar Pradesh Government may take another six months to reivew their case. The accused can move for bail in the state High Court only if the Government fails to reivew their case or refuses to set aside the detention order.

The eight accused- Rajesh Saini, Sudhir Maan, Gurusharan, Sanjay Kumar, Nipun Khatana, Brijesh Awana, Jai Prakash and Vicky Kalsi ( all in the age group of 20-30 years) were earlier produced in the court of additional chief judicial magistrate A K Singh.

The courtroom, which is located on the ground floor of the distrct court complex, was practically empty except a few relatives of one of the accused. This was in sharp contrast to the earlier instance when the accused were produced in the court. On that occasion, hordes of relatives and curious onlookers had swarmed the courtroom.

The proceedings before the court which extended their judicial remand lasted for only a few minutes. Another accused, Sunil Choudhary was to be produced in court on May 13 but has now also been booked under NSA. The tenth accused Pradeep is still absconding.

The police in their recommendation, stated that the sex-scandal accused have serious charges against them and the extensive coverage of the incident in the national and local newspapers as well as the electronic media had spread a feeling of shock and terror among the local residents, specially the women. The police also pleaded that if these persons were released, they may commit such a crime again.Forming the basis of booking the accused under NSA, the police further pleaded that some of the girls and women in NOIDA had stopped going to their schools and workplaces after the scandal broke out. The police could regain the confidence of the local residents after a lot of effort.

Police have also submitted clippings of media reports and letters from various social organisation who approached them for prompt action in the case.

All the nine persons booked under NSA and the one person who is absoconding were charged with gang-raping a 23-year-old girl .