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Expressing concern over the delay in delivering justice in the Ruchika molestation case, Communist Party of India - Marxist Rajya Sabha member Brinda Karat on Tuesday said the 'infirmities' in India's legal system should be reformed so that timely justice can be given to those seeking it.
Speaking during Zero Hour in the Upper House, Karat said that former director general of police of Haryana S P S Rathore, who allegedly molested the 14-year-old budding tennis player in 1990, has now been handed out only six months of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of the charge. She pointed out that Rathore continued to be rewarded with promotions, even as the girl and her family suffered.
"Our judicial system has infirmities. The culprit was rewarded with promotions even as Ruchika's brother was beaten up and false cases were registered against him. It was the courage of Ruchika's friend Aradhana and Aradhana's parents, who took the case forward and refused to cow down under pressure," Karat said.
The CPI-M leader appealed to the Law Minister Veerappa Moily and Home Minister P Chidambaram (both of whom were present in the House), "to reform the judicial system to give fast track justice to those who suffer. I also request the government to give a reward to the family of Ruchika's friend Aradhana and her parents, who fought for justice on behalf of the girl".
Ruchika had committed suicide in 1993 after being frustrated by the delayed justice and alleged harassment of her family by the authorities.
As Karat spoke, cries of 'Shame, Shame' could be heard from other RS members and the moment she concluded her statement, the entire House associated itself with the statement.
Earlier, Congress member Prabha Thakur raised the issue of the alleged gang-rape of a minor girl in Kanpur, which she claimed, was being hushed up by the police. The girl's parents were being reportedly harassed by the authorities, she said. Thakur said that she recently visited the girl, who has been admitted in a hospital in Kanpur.
"Neither the junior doctors nor the senior doctors explained the line of treatment being given to her. When I returned, the girl was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit," she said.
"In a state being run by a woman CM, it is a matter of concern that the percentage of crime against women is so high. Even the medical authorities in Kanpur said that no rape had been committed. I therefore appeal for justice to be meted out in the matter," she said.