DELHI’S SHAME IS NOW MUMBAI’S REALITY

The gang rape and subsequent death of a 23-year-old physiotherapist in Delhi had shaken the conscience of a nation with tens of thousands protesters hitting the street. A quick recap: December 16: The victim is tortured and raped aboard a moving bus in South Delhi’s Munirka neighbourhood by five drunken men December 17: The main accused, Ram Singh, is arrested as protesters take to the streets, demonstrating in front of the India Gate December 19: The victim’s male friend, also tortured aboard the bus that night, identifies three of the accused December 21: The victim communicates with the police for the first time through notes. She identifies the main accused through pictures and asks for the severest punishment possible December 22: A seventeen-and-half -year-old juvenile from UP is detained by the police December 29: The victim succumbs to injuries at a Singapore hospital January 3: A criminal case is filed against the five accused January 7: Court orders in-camera trial and arguments get underway February 5: Trial gets underway at a fast-track court March 11: Ram Singh found hanging inside his cell in Tihar April 11: Accused Vinay’s counsel informs court that neither he nor Pawan Gupta, another accused, were on the bus that day May 4-May 9: Police officials, witnesses and the victim’s male friend depose at Saket district court June 4: The juvenile accused turns 18 in custody, lodged at a juvenile observation home in north Delhi July 19: The juvenile accused is declared guilty of robbery August 19: Verdict on the role of the juvenile deferred by the Juvenile Justice Board till August 31