27 rape/murder cases, one trial in State in 2012
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 29 2012: Out of 27 rape and rape plus murder cases reported in the media till December 29 this year, police have filed charge-sheet and trial conducted only in one case.

Even as 20 cases of rape have been tried in Session Court in the last five years, they remain pending till date unable to dispose satisfactorily.

Cases of rape reported in Imphal-based media during this five year period is 68.The number of cases reported about rape plus murder during the same period is 15 .

Notably, the Government of India ratified the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1980 which was adopted by the UN General Assembly a year earlier.

Moreover, there are many sections in the Indian Penal Code which prohibit and warrant punishment for any case of rape, rape plus murder or molestation.

However, the rate of awarding punishment to individuals accused of committing rape and similar crimes remains dismally low.

Talking with TSE, Public Prosecutor Advocate Ng Tejkumar said that the number of rape and rape plus murder cases against which police submitted charge-sheets during the last five years is quite low compared to the number of such crimes committed during the same period.

Of the many cases reported this year, charge-sheet was submitted only in the rape case of a chilli (U-morok) hawker.

Based on the charge-sheet, due trial is going on.

Even though the rape and murder case of Ratanmala happened two/three years back, the case has not yet reached Court for police have not yet submitted any charge-sheet.

Among the rape cases reported this year, the case of a Nepali minor girl who was raped and both her eyes forked out in a hill range in Senapati district on February 9 was perhaps the most gruesome.

The girl's left eye is now blind while the right eye has lost much of its sight.

Even though the girl needs further treatment, her family cannot afford any further treatment.

She is only getting primary treatment.

Like other cases, the particular case has not reached Court till today for no charge-sheet has been submitted.

Again, a young girl studying in Higher Secondary level was raped mercilessly on October 20 this year.

Though the girl should appear Class XII exam, she could not attend class any further following the shocking incident.

Moreover, she is suffering from trauma and anxiety.

Four minor girls were also raped in Khoupum Valley, Tamenglong district by cadres of a hill-based UG outfit.

One chilli hawker was gang-raped by four individuals in the intervening night of March 21 and 22.Subsequent upon submission of charge-sheet by police, the case is being adjudicated in the Court of Session Judge (West) .

Generally, police promptly filed charge-sheets in connection with crimes against women if the particular cases evoked mass outcry or sustained protest movements, Advocate Tejkumar noted.

The rate of submission of charge-sheets was dismal in case the protest movements or public outcry died down soon after the incident.

He further questioned as to why police could not file charge-sheets in other cases when they could submit the charge-sheet within four/five months regarding the rape case of the chilli hawker.

Only in some rare cases, charge-sheets were filed, trial conducted and the guilty punished.

All sorts of crime against women such as rape, rape plus murder, molestation, assault, abduction, trafficking, domestic violence are being reported every now and then in the State.

2008 reported 101 cases of crimes against women, 117 in 2009, 78 in 2010, 166 in 2011 and 256 in 2012 as on December 29.These are only the cases reported in media and the figures are compiled by the Women Action for Development.

Advocate B Supriya said that women should be extra-cautious to ward off crimes against women.

At the same time, position of women in the society need a thorough introspection.

In addition to the two fast track courts functioning in the State at present, similar fast track courts should be set up in each and every district of the State.

Supriya also expressed her desire for all IO's to file charge-sheets of all criminal activities in time.

Notably, a Supreme Court judgement has also already advised all Courts to finish trial of all cases registered under IPC Section 376 (rape) and Section 376 A to D (similar offences) within two months.

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