Friday 4 April 2014

The Willing Journey of a Misguided Girl- who was raped 67 times by 37 men in 40 days

She was only 16. A middle class girl whose father was a Post Master back then from the Suryanelli Village of Idduki District of Kerala. She had befriended a bus cleaner, named Raju at the age of 14 only and fell in love. On the fretful day of 16th January 1996 she was eloped from her school hostel at Munnar by her lover Raju. But surprisingly was abandoned during the journey, the deserted helpless girl sought help from a woman named Usha. Usha was traveling with a man named Dharmarajan, a lawyer by profession. The duo assured her that they would drop her to her aunt's place.
She trusted them blindly and was taken to a lodge where she was raped by this man Dharmarajan. Source- Google.

Her plight was not over yet. She was drugged and taken to various places in Tamilnadu and Kerala and was raped 67 times by 37 men ranging from Lawyer to Retired Professor to Business man and even Politicians. After 40 days she was released with a meager amount of money.

She reached her father's office and narrated the story... was taken to Hospitals and the Doctors who first examined her said that her private parts were so ruptured that a mere touch would induce blood (Source-Wiki). She was only 16.

FIR was lodged but the police wasnt cooperating... there was unnecessary delay in the investigation. In 1999 a Special Court was set up to deal with this case and a Special Investigation Team lead by the IG of Police investigated the matter. The Court sentenced rigorous imprisonment to all the accused and life term to Dharmarajan with a fine of Rs. 50,000/-.

But thats not the end of the story. on 20.01.2005 the whole country was shocked to hear the final judgement of the Kerala Highcourt. All 35 accused were acquitted even the life term of Dharmarajan was reduced to 5 years only. The fine imposed on him was reduced from Rs. 50,000/- to Rs. 5,000/- only. The Bench termed the case as "the willing journey of a misguided girl". You may read the judgement in the link given below.

The Girl moved to Supreme Court where she left unheard for eight long years. In the meantime she was offered a Government job. She alongwith her parents had to shift her base due to hostility from the neighbors. After the Nirbhaya case in 2013 this particular case drew limelight. The Apex Court called the verdict of the Kerala High Court 'shocking' and set aside. The case was resend to the Kerala High Court.
Today Kerala High court convicted 24 accused and awarded rigorous imprisonment and also warded life term to Dharmarajan.

Justice delayed is truly Justice denied.

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