A group of city lawyers has come together to help rape survivors and investigating officers build strong cases against the accused. The lawyers have also offered to provide any aid the victims require.
The Harmony Brigade is headed by senior counsel Rizwan Merchant and comprises five women lawyers. The group aims to increase the number of its members. Advocate Farhana Shah, a member of the group, said, “Looking at the increasing number of crimes against women, issues like delayed judgement, no registration of complaints, death threats to victims need to be treated seriously. Our motive is to help the victims, the public prosecutors fighting the cases, and assist the police to collect evidence as soon as possible.”
The team, which includes advocates Gayatri Gokhale, Priyanka Dubey and Swapna Kode, has started its work in the city and plans to spread to rural areas and other parts of the country. Mr. Merchant said that the team would also demand strong punishment for the accused.
He said, “The Harmony Brigade demands chemical or surgical castration for those convicted for committing sexual offences against women. In the Nirbhaya case, for example, even though the convicts were given death penalties, nothing has changed in the country.
“The pride and honour of these criminals, who so easily commit such heinous crimes, need to be attacked. Many countries have accepted castration as punishment for convicts, then why not India? If we find out that a false case of rape has been registered, we will back out. Our main aim is prosecution, not persecution.”
The team plans to include more women advocates so that a victim is comfortable and does not fear seeking justice against the accused. The team will also rehabilitate the victims and help them become independent. Mr. Merchant said, “We invite women from various Bar Associations all over the country to join the brigade and offer their services to achieve the target of fighting against ruthless criminals in society.”
