Dumaria rape: HT praised for highlighting case
RANCHI: Hindustan Times came in for praise at a legal seminar on Saturday for highlighting the case of a rape victim in Dumaria, which ensured relief and justice to her.
On August 29, 2015, HT had highlighted the sufferings of a nine-year-old rape victim from Dumaria in East Singhbhum district, whose family — living in pittance — had to walk 4 km daily, carrying her in their arms to the hospital in order for her to be treated for her wounds incurred during her rape.
Taking cognizance of the report, Jharkhand chief justice Virender Singh had directed the government to immediately pay `1 lakh to the victim’s family and other benefits of government welfare schemes.
Referring to the report at the seminar on ‘Access to Justice’ at BNR Chanakya hotel, Ranchi, CJ Singh said that in Dumaria rape case, the court had intervened for emancipation of victim by adequately compensating her.
“The victim was provided treatment at Medanta Hospital free of cost. Donations inflated her bank balance to over `40 lakh and all welfare schemes reached to the family on time. The criminal case against the accused was tried in a fast track court and within six months, the accused was convicted,” the CJ said.
The CJ said it is high time to quit the practice of protracting the case by allocating dates again and again and make positive efforts to provide real justice.
He cited the works being carried out by the Jharkhand Legal Services Authority towards providing justice to marginalized section. He said legal aid clinics have been set up in all districts and the fact that poor jail inmates were being provided free legal aids.
Earlier, governor Draupadi Murmu, who inaugurated the seminar organised by India Legal Research, said, “Access to justice means the right of an individual to remediation and justice. It is the bounden duty of the state to provide this essential service to all citizens.”
She also stressed on having a strong, effective and accessible judicial system, which is available, responsive and quick.