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CRIME AND NO PUNISHMENT
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 Justice delayed is justice denied. And in India, justice is invariably delayed if the accused are rich and powerful,especially if they are politicians and senior bureaucrats.
Justice delayed is justice
denied. And in India, justice is
invariably delayed if the
accused are rich and powerful,
especially if they are
politicians and senior bureaucrats.
The case of Ruchika,
who was molested by
S.P.S.Rathore, and driven to
commit suicide, is an example.
The crime was committed 19 years ago. Rathore, then
the IG, molested the 13-year-old schoolgirl and the police,
bureaucracy and politicians in power tried to suppress
the case. They harassed and tortured her family and
friends, demanding they withdraw the case or change
their statements. Somehow, her parents and near ones
resisted the threats and Rathore is now convicted and
punished with 6 months RI and a fine of Rs 1,000.
Day after day, newspapers and TV channels highlighted
the incidents that followed the crime. From the then
Chief Minister of Haryana to the lowest of police officials,
all were found trying to help Rathore. What is more, he
was recommended and given awards and honours during
the long trial. He retired as the DG of Police.
The question now is how someone, who is accused of
such a heinous crime, is to be prevented from getting promotions
and State honours. In the case of Rathore, he rose
to the highest rank and was also honoured with
President’s Police Medal, the highest honour for excellence
in service. Now, hectic efforts are being made to
enhance his punishment and withdraw his medal.
However, will these efforts be of any use, even if they
become successful? He will be pampered with all privileges
and comforts in jail, by the officials who were his
subordinates when he was the head of the police. And
even to prove, that he abetted the girl to commit suicide,
will be almost impossible.
The real problem is not the inadequacy of punishment
but how soon it is meted out. If 6 months RI had been
handed out to Rathore within 6 months of committing the
crime, instead of after long 19 years, it would have been
sufficient. He would have lost his job and not got promotions
and honours. Also, the victim would not have committed
suicide and her near ones harassed. Hence, delay
is the most important factor that subverts justice. There
should be a fixed time by which cases are disposed off. If
a girl is molested, she should not have to wait till she
becomes grandmother to get her tormenter punished.
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