The Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, Swati Maliwal, has taken suo moto cognizance for the welfare of the family of a 19-year-old gang rape victim whose body was discovered mutilated in Haryana three days after she was abducted in 2012. The woman was a resident of Chhawla, Delhi, and was abducted from Qutub Vihar. The girl was subjected to the utmost horrors before being brutally murdered.
According to media reports, the girl was gang raped, acid was poured over her eyes, a glass bottle was inserted in her private parts, and she was burned with cigarettes and iron rods before being finally murdered. In 2014, the trial court convicted the accused and accorded the death penalty to them. The Hon’ble High Court of Delhi also upheld the judgment, considering the matter to be the rarest of rare cases.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court has expressed its displeasure over the manner in which the investigation and trial were conducted and has acquitted all three accused persons, pointing out inadequate evidence and improper investigation along with certain other lapses.
In the notice issued to Delhi Police, the commission has stated that the matter is extremely sensitive, and considering the fact that the perpetrators are roaming free, high level security must be immediately provided to the immediate family members of the deceased girl.
The commission has sought an action taken report in the matter from the police and has asked the police to indicate the level of security provided to the immediate family members of the victim. Delhi Police has also been asked to inform the commission about other steps taken to ensure their safety and security in 48 hours.
Maliwal stated, “I am deeply anguished by the heinous crime that was perpetrated and the trajectory of the case, which ultimately led to the denial of justice to the deceased and her family. It is deeply upsetting on many levels and raises several questions about our system. The commission is seeking a legal opinion in the matter.”