Dera case: Protection sought for rape victims

After CBI court verdict convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh of raping of two sadhvis yesterday, the focus is now on the security and safety of the two complainants in view of the violence and rioting in Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and parts of Uttar Pradesh that followed which saw over 30 people lose their lives and injuries to hundreds.

The All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), the women’s wing of the CPI(M) has stepped in and demanded that security be provided to the women complainants in the case against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief.

“Both the Centre and the Haryana government have failed miserably in anticipating the violence and in maintaining law and order. AIDWA demands that the government must give full protection to the victims,” the AIDWA statement said.

Congratulating the two women, AIDWA said that they had “bravely withstood all pressures, threats and intimidation” which were used to dissuade them from continuing with their struggle.

“The AIDWA has been consistently supporting the victims in their 15-yearlong harrowing ordeal,” the statement added.

Alleging that political parties were in collusion with the Dera chief, the AIDWA said that it was “political patronage” that allowed the self-styled godman to violate laws. “It is condemnable that various political parties for electoral gains have protected the Dera chief and have deliberately delayed the women's quest for justice,” it said.

“It is a matter of record that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had showered praise on the Dera chief to get the votes of his supporters. It is precisely this type of political patronage that has encouraged various so-called godmen to brazenly violate the law of the land with impunity,” it added.

The case against the Dera chief was registered on the basis of an anonymous written complaint in 2002 that he had sexually exploited two female followers. On the basis of the report, a case was registered against him in December 2002 by the CBI on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. -PTI

Political patronage has encouraged various so-called godmen to brazenly violate the law of the land with impunity