Differently abled seek justice for 16-year-old ‘rape victim’

Protesters burn copies of CB-CID report, calling it false

November 29, 2017 12:59 am | Updated 07:55 am IST - CHENNAI

 Members of the association staging protest in Chennai.

Members of the association staging protest in Chennai.

Over 50 persons belonging to the Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) and All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) burnt duplicate copies of a CB-CID report pertaining to the alleged rape of a differently abled girl in Krishnagiri in 2014, in the city on Tuesday. The protesters rejected the report that denied the girl was raped.

‘No signs of rape’

In December 2014, a 16-year-old hearing and speech-impaired girl from Denkanikottai had alleged that she was gang raped when she was coming home after giving food to her father. She was taken to the Denkanikottai Government Hospital the next morning for treatment and later to a Hosur hospital, where doctors said that there were no signs of rape.

After protests by TARATDAC, the All Women Police Station at Denkanikottai registered an FIR. “Subsequently, four suspects were arrested. However, the local police appeared to support the accused. The villagers ostracised the girl’s family and we approached the Madras High Court seeking a CBI inquiry in 2015,” said S.Namburajan, State general secretary of TARATDAC.

The court ordered the government to pay the girl a compensation of ₹20,000 and ordered a CB-CID inquiry.

“After two years, the CB-CID, on November 3, submitted a report before the Krishnagiri Magistrate Court stating that it was not a case of rape but a clash between neighbours. They have portrayed the victim as an accused who was causing nuisance,” Mr. Namburajan said.

Angry members of TARATDAC burnt duplicate copies of the CB-CID report and raised slogans against the agency.

When a policeman in plainclothes threw water on the burning copies and on some of the protesters, a heated argument ensued.

“We want justice for the victim. We condemn the false report of the CB-CID. We will continue our protests till the girl and her family get justice,” Mr. Namburajan said.

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