Pataudi gang-rape: Women activists demand speedy justice

New Delhi/ Mumbai: The women activists on Monday condemned the alleged gang-rape of a married woman by an army man and his accomplice in Pataudi, Gurgaon, and said these cases should be looked cumulatively and not in isolation.

Former National Commission for Women (NCW) member Shamina Shafiq said the gang rapes have become very common these days, adding there is no justice for the rape survivors.

“In some cases, the survivors are forced to marry the rapists. So, what kind of messages we are sending that rapists can do anything and walk free. Our judicial system is very tardy that it is raising the confidence of rapists,” Shafiq said.

“It’s very unfortunate and I think that we should look into all these cases cumulatively but not in isolation,” she added.

The former NCW member further said that the police should immediately file a chargesheet immediately and added that the decision on rape cases should be made within six months.

“Are we waiting for more rape cases to happen? We should have a dialogue with community leaders so that we can sensitize the society to respect women. The victim should be given complete legal aid as she is searching for a job,” she added.

Senior advocate and women’s rights activist Abha Singh echoed similar statements and said it seems there is no fear of law as there has been an increase in the number of rape cases.

“Army soldier is also found to be involved in this. This should be studied that why rape cases are still increasing and a committee should be formed. Since Nirbhaya’s rapists are still not prosecuted, it is sending a wrong message to the society. She (victim) was brought here under conspiracy of offering her job. Police should make the case strong, as many loopholes are left during investigation which set the rapists free,” she told ANI in Mumbai.

She insisted that these incidents need to be taken very seriously.

All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) general secretary Jagmati Sangwan on her part said that the government should take action against all those involved and demanded severe punishment for the accused.

An army man, along with four others, was arrested for allegedly gang-raping a married woman in Pataudi. The accused have been identified as 23-year-old Sandeep and 45-year-old Girwar. Sandeep is currently on leave from the army.

The complaint, filed by the woman, states that five men abducted her at around 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and gang-raped her.

The woman, who was visiting her parents in Pataudi, was going to the market to collect her Aadhar card when she was approached by an acquaintance who offered her a job and asked her to come with him.

When she refused, he called up four accomplices who arrived on the spot in a jeep and abducted her. The accused reportedly drove the jeep to a deserted field, where all five raped her.

The accused also threatened to kill the woman if she told anyone about the assault. (ANI)