S M Fasiullah for BeyondHeadlines
Rape is one of the serious crimes and recent rape cases in Delhi and other metro cities have made general public tempestuous and brought India infamy both within and outside the country.
Those who respect women and fight for their rights view rape as a very serious charge and consider that police custody of the victim is essential to the investigation.
In a recent case in Mumbai, the honorable Mumbai High Court granted anticipatory bail to rape accused Dr. Soonawal. A group of citizens from India’s financial capital feel that granting of anticipatory bail is a wrong precedent in such cases.
In a dramatic move, Dr. Soonawal absconded on the way to the police station after he was taken into custody. Police filed an FIR on him for the same. In addition, police was obstructed from doing the panchnama of the clinic, the scene of the alleged crime, by the doctor and his family and friends.
Shakil Ahmed, a lawyer and human rights activist based in Mumbai, expressed fear that medical reports of the case may be tampered as the doctor belongs to an influential family.
“He has gone to number of eminent people and activists and got character certificates from them, without letting them know that the purpose was to defend his rape charge,” stated Mr. Ahmed.
“Another curious aspect of this case is that the Anticipatory Bail Hearing was still being heard in the Sessions Court, and the accused had taken permission to appeal against the Sessions Court Order rejecting his interim offer of giving his medical samples. Yet the High Court heard and ruled on the anticipatory bail.”
In this regard, a public meeting is scheduled on 18 June 2013 at 4 pm at Mumbai Patrakar Sangh in Azad Maidan to express joint outrage against rape and demand for quick justice.
Justice Suresh Hospet, Advocate Mihir Desai, and Convenor of Aam Aadmi Party Maharashtra Anjali Damania are some of the speakers who are likely attend the meet, which would be followed by a press conference at the same venue.
