Shame sheet

The rape figures in Delhi have been rising and so too the acquittal rates. Ask lawyers and policemen and they shrug fact that in most cases,...

The rape figures in Delhi have been rising and so too the acquittal rates. Ask lawyers and policemen and they shrug fact that in most cases, the accused is known to the victim. Under pressure from her family and society, she turns hostile.

Yet even when the accused is a stranger, like in the case of the young woman allegedly raped by a former Delhi University Students8217; Union president on October 7, 2002, the case may fall through. Says criminal lawyer Kamini Jaiswal, 8216;8216;There is an urgent need to provide proper and meaningful protection to the victim in rape cases. She is not just the victim but also the most important witness.8217;8217;

Sample the cases

8226; In 2002, former DUSU president Avdesh Sharma was accused of raping a 22-year-old member of a music troupe. She was with friends at India Gate when Sharma allegedly made lewd remarks. When the victim tried to drive away, she was chased, kidnapped, allegedly raped by Sharma and five others at his apartment.

Status: Acquittal. The victim did not identify the accused in the test identification parade. In court, she retracted her statement to the police, saying the rapist was, in fact, a 8216;8216;Sardar boy8217;8217;.

8226; The Maulana Azad Medical College rape case in November 2002 took place within walking distance of the Police HQ. A medico was dragged into the Khooni Darwaza monument while coming out of college and raped by four youth.

Status: The trial is underway. Main accused Rahul and his friend Amit are in judicial custody. Two accomplices, both juveniles, have been convicted and are doing time at a reformatory home.

8226; In September 2003, a 13-year-old patient at Holy Angel Hospital in the Vasant Vihar area alleged V.K. Nigam, consultant cardiologist, had sexually assaulted her. The victim was being examined for tuberculosis of the bone.

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Status: Case registered but no chargesheet filed yet. Nigam is out on bail.

8226; A Keralite nurse, 22, was allegedly raped by a sweeper in Shanti Mukund Hospital in east Delhi in September 2003, while on night duty. She lost vision in one eye as a result of injuries suffered.

Status: Chargesheet yet to be filed but the accused is in judicial custody.

A petition before the Delhi High Court also demands FIRs against Shanti Mukund Hospital, where the nurse worked, and Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, where she was administered first aid. Both refused to admit her. As a result, she lost the use of an eye.