ruchika

What is important is that women are made aware of what their rights would be if the law is passed- Kalpana Sharma

The enhancement of the sentence of former Haryana DGP S.P.S. Rathore, charged with molesting 14-year-old Ruchika Talwar, from just six months to one and a half years, is a very small step in rectifying the glaring anomaly in the law that allowed him to almost get away with a serious crime. In the absence of the popular furore over what happened, and the determined efforts of the young woman's friends and family, it is possible that Rathore would have continued to hold office and escape the jail sentence awarded to him. But even as many will believe that 18 months is hardly adequate punishment for a crime that led to a young woman taking her own life, the sentencing is the beginning of an important process of change in our antiquated laws dealing with sexual assaults of all kinds.

Ruchika's is only one case. There are hundreds of such cases in India that never reach the point of conviction. And many more incidents that are never even reported. But because more such cases are coming out in the open, the demand for a change in the law has built up to the point that the government has finally taken note.



New Bill for Sexual Offence:

The proposed law makes it mandatory to end the trial of cases relating to sexual offences within a 6 month period.

The sexual offences (special courts) bill is almost finalised and is awaiting a Cabinet nod.

The new law proposes:

  • Sexual abuse is defined to include not just physical but also mental harassment. Punishment for both to be similar.

  • Sexual abuse to be treated on par as rape, which means punishment for both to be equally stringent. Until now, maximum punishment for sexual abuse is one year.

  • Onus to prove that suicide was not due to sexual harassment lies with the accused.

  • All cases of sexual harassment to be dealt with special courts and cleared within 6 months to a year.

Source: ibn-live

links:
toi,
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RUCHIKA


After 19 years and 450 hearings, though convicted for molesting Ruchika, a 14 year old school girl and a tennis player, SPS Rathore is still smiling. The victim drank poison 16 years ago and killed herself, when she lost all hope for justice.

The victim instead of finding support and sympathy, finds herself being ostracised by a peer group that does not understand what’s happening.

More from the Indian-Home-Maker





With her story now the focus of a national debate, Ruchika's friends and family want you to help in their fight for justice. For her death anniversary this year, they have launched an online campaign at joinaradhna4ruchika@gmail.com

"I feel that Ruchika is still alive in every girl who is being molested, and violence against women. I request you to join us ... . I am launching a fight against molesters and against this system, also for fight for justice for my friend Ruchika" says Aradhana Parkash Gupta, who, as a teen, witness Ruchika being molested by a senior police officer in Haryana. Since then, Aradhana and her father have led a campaign to ensure that the policeman, SS Rathore, pays for assaulting a 14-year-old and then harassing her family, driving her to commit suicide.

more links:

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Fresh-FIRs-filed--new-law-coming-on-sex-offences/561321


9/9/2010:
Rathore denied bail:

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/09/stories/2010010957410100.htm

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100109/jsp/nation/story_11963036.jsp