Ashiana gang-rape survivor thanks Lucknow for support

After sending her wrongdoers behind bars, the Ashiana gang-rape survivor on Thursday thanked the people of Lucknow and the social workers who supported her in her 11-year-long fight for justice.

Addressing a press conference at the UP Press Club, she said, “Had it not been for the support of the people, my fight would have been even more difficult. I want to thank Lucknow for making my issue a public movement and for standing by my side as a constant support.”

The victim’s father too expressed his gratitude towards those who helped him and his daughter during the difficult years. He was especially grateful to lawyer Jalaj Gupta, who he said refused to give up to the threats and the lucrative offers of the prime accused, Gaurav Shukla. “It was the case of my daughter, so I had to fight it. But the strength to stand against the influential came from our supporters, who made it their own fight,” he said.

In a gathering of social workers, theatre people, lawyers and members of media, Jalaj Gupta provided a background of how Gaurav Shukla spared no means to save himself and managed to delay his trial for a decade.

“The decision over his age continued for years together. He resorted to all means, from fudging age proofs to bribing witnesses. Fortunately, nothing worked in his favour,” said Gupta, who has been handling the case since 2009.

Madhu Garg, state secretary, All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), who along with Prof Roop Rekha Verma, secretary, Saajhi Duniya, stood by the victim all these years and ensured that the fight against the powerful accused continued, said, “We remember how at the time of the incident, some influential people got down to manipulating the medical reports and the victim’s statements, and made all possible efforts to save Shukla.”

She added, “The victim’s father was forced to give his thumb prints on some plain sheets of paper and the medical report was manipulated. The victim was sent to a government shelter home in Moti Nagar and was not allowed to meet anyone. She was made to identify some wrong people as having committed the crime and they were sent behind bars. Thankfully, we could manage to get the right culprits nabbed.”

Now that Shuka has been convicted for ten years by the fast track court, the victim wants his punishment enhanced to life imprisonment. “I have not fought for myself alone. My fight is the fight of the poor against the rich. Rigorous punishment for Shukla would send a strong message in the society that even a poor person can win against the rich,” said the victim.