How many victims will dare to file FIR after Unnao rape victim's family wiped out?
Shams Ur Rehman Alavi
NewsBits.in
DELHI: After seeing the fate of the family of Unnao rape victim, how many women who are victims of sexual harassment or rape will dare to file FIR against influential persons?
This is a question on everybody's mind, as the woman's family has been wiped out despite the fact that the case had hit national headlines and it has happened in full public view.
First her father was killed and then the witness. Now, her aunt & sister have been killed and lawyer battles battles for his life while she also got injured and is undergoing treatment. A truck that had its number plate blackened, hit the car in which the victim was travelling.
And this is not from a Bollywood movie script, it is real. Will women who suffer sexual exploitation, not think twice before daring to file case against influential persons, after seeing what the the Unnao rape victim and her kin have suffered. It is clear that there was a systematic attempt to suppress the case from the beginning but when it didn't happen, the family members were targed, one after the other.
BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar is the main accused in the case. The victim repeatedly complained that there was tremendous pressure on the family to withdraw the case. However, nothing happened. Clearly, there is no security for ordinary citizens who seek justice or fight against the politicians-mafia.
Within a year, she saw her father sent to jail and killed in mysterious circumstances, then her uncle slapped with five cases and her family members now killed in the mishap. She had to make an effort to get the case registered, even go for selt-immolation bid at the residence of UP chief minister to draw attention.
Her father was assaulted by Sengar's supporters in police custody that led to injuries and his death. A probe clearly suggested that the family was being pressurized to drop the case. No wonder, people are openly expressing their fears. Haven't the institutions failed? It is clear that an ordinary persons stands little chance in the 'system' and that's a shame even after major changes in the law after the Nirbahaya tragedy.