Waiting 32 years for justice in an Indian rape case

In the year 1992, a young woman named Sushma was only 18 years old when a horrific event changed her life forever. She was lured to an abandoned warehouse by a man she knew, who promised to show her some video tapes. Instead of a harmless outing, Sushma found herself in a nightmare. A group of six to seven men, all from wealthy and influential families in Ajmer, Rajasthan, tied her up, assaulted her, and took photographs of the act. After the assault, one of the men callously handed her 200 rupees, which is about two dollars, telling her to buy lipstick. Sushma refused the money, feeling that it was a cruel joke. Last week, after 32 long years of waiting, Sushma finally saw justice served when a court convicted some of her attackers and sentenced them to life in prison. Now at 50 years old, Sushma expressed her mixed feelings, stating, 'I finally feel like I got justice,' but lamented that it could never bring back the years of pain and suffering she had endured. The trauma from that day in 1992 followed her throughout her life, leading to years of shame and ridicule from society. Both of her marriages ended in divorce when her husbands learned about her past. Sushma is one of 16 survivors, all of whom were schoolchildren or students, who were victimized by a group of powerful men over several months in Ajmer. The case became a major scandal, igniting widespread protests across the region. In the recent court ruling, six of the 18 accused were sentenced to life imprisonment. These men, including Nafis Chishty, Iqbal Bhat, and Saleem Chishty, have not admitted to their crimes, and their lawyers have announced plans to appeal the verdict in a higher court. The Suzuki van that was used to transport the victims serves as a grim reminder of the atrocities committed. In the past, eight of the accused were sentenced to life in prison in 1998, but four were acquitted by a higher court, and others had their sentences reduced to just ten years. Among the remaining four, one man tragically took his own life, while another was sentenced to life in 2007 but was later acquitted. One was convicted in a related minor case but was also acquitted, and one of the accused is still on the run. Journalist Santosh Gupta, who has closely followed the case, expressed his frustration, saying, 'Can you even call this justice? A judgement is not justice. ' This sentiment was echoed by Supreme Court lawyer Rebecca John, who pointed out that this case exemplifies the saying 'justice delayed is justice denied. ' She emphasized that the issues at play extend far beyond the legal system, highlighting the need for a significant change in societal attitudes. The accused men exploited their power and influence to deceive, intimidate, and lure their victims. They took compromising photographs and videos of their victims, using them as tools for blackmail to ensure silence or to bring in more victims. In one disturbing instance, the accused invited a man they knew to a party, got him drunk, and then took embarrassing photos of him, threatening to release them if he did not bring his female friends to meet them. Their connections in the community, including ties to a well-known religious shrine, allowed them to operate with impunity. Many people were afraid of these men, while others sought to be associated with them. Their power and influence helped keep the case hidden for months. However, there were individuals, including those at the photo development studio and some police officers, who were aware of the ongoing abuse. One day, some of the incriminating photographs reached Mr. Gupta, leaving him horrified. He realized that some of the most powerful men in the city were committing terrible acts against innocent young girls, and there was evidence to prove it. Yet, there was little reaction from the police or the public at that time. Mr. Gupta attempted to write about the case, but his reports did not gain the traction needed to bring it to light. Eventually, his newspaper made a bold decision to publish a shocking photo that depicted a young girl in a vulnerable position, pressed between two men. This image, with only the girl's face blurred, sent shockwaves through the city. The public was outraged, leading to protests that shut down Ajmer for days. Anger spread throughout Rajasthan, prompting the government to take action. The police finally registered a case of rape and blackmail against the accused, and the investigation was handed over to the state's Criminal Investigation Department. The trial, however, dragged on for 32 years due to various factors, including the staggered arrests of the accused, alleged delaying tactics by the defense, and systemic issues within the justice system. When the police initially filed charges in 1992, six of the accused were not included because they were absconding. Mr. Rathore, a lawyer involved in the case, believes this was a significant error. When the police finally charged these men in 2002, they were still on the run. Over the years, the police arrested some of the accused, but each time, the trial had to start anew, forcing survivors and witnesses to relive their traumatic experiences repeatedly. Under the law, the accused have the right to be present during witness testimonies, and the defense has the right to cross-examine them. This put the survivors in a horrifying position, having to recount their trauma over and over again. Mr. Rathore recalls how the survivors, now in their 40s and 50s, would often scream at the judge, asking why they were being dragged back to court years after the assaults. As time passed, it became increasingly difficult for the police to locate witnesses, many of whom did not want to be associated with the case anymore. Even now, one of the accused remains at large. If he is arrested or if the others appeal the verdict, the survivors and witnesses may be called to testify again. Sushma, who was one of the key survivors whose testimony helped convict the six men, stated that she has been speaking to the media about her ordeal because she wants to tell the truth. 'I never changed my story. I was young and innocent when these people did this to me. It robbed me of everything. I have nothing to lose now,' she said. It is important to note that Sushma's name has been changed to protect her identity, as Indian laws do not allow the disclosure of a rape victim's identity.