Roop Kanwar: 20 yrs later,HC notice to state

More than two decades after 18-year-old Roop Kanwar allegedly burnt herself alive on her husband Maal Singh Shekhwat’s pyre on September 4,1987,the Rajasthan HC on Wednesday issued show-cause notices to the state government asking it to explain why it did not appeal against the acquittal of 11 accused for glorifying Sati after the incident.

The HC order was based on four writ petitions filed by women’s and human rights organisations in Rajasthan on May 22,2008. On January 31,2004,a special court in Jaipur acquitted 11 persons,including BJP MLA and now party chief whip Rajendra Singh Rathore,sitting Congress MLA Pratap Singh Khachariawas and Narendra Singh Rajawat of the Rajput Mahasabha.The 11 accused had allegedly protested against police action that followed the incident and led marches supporting Sati.