Unnao rape-survivor's letter to CJI to be taken up tomorrow
What's the story
Merely two weeks before she met with an accident, the Unnao rape survivor had written a letter to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, telling him about the threats she received by men of BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar, who allegedly assaulted her.
After the letter started an uproar, the Supreme Court agreed to take it up on Thursday.
Here are more details.
Letter
Backstory: In letter to CJI, survivor spoke about threats
The teen survivor, who was allegedly raped by Sengar in 2017, told CJI Gogoi that men entered her home threatening her to take the case back. She was reportedly threatened between July 7 and 8.
In the letter dated July 12, she urged CJI Gogoi to take concrete steps against the men.
Notably, Sengar was jailed in April 2018, but his clout wasn't affected.
Accident
Victim's fears came true, she met with an accident
Her cry for help fell on deaf ears, as we saw last Sunday.
A truck, whose number plate was wiped, rammed into the car in which the victim, her lawyer Mahendra Singh, and two of her aunts were traveling. While the older women died, the other two were seriously injured.
On Wednesday, CJI Gogoi said in court that he "never received" the letter.
Quote
I have not seen the letter: CJI Gogoi
"This morning I read in the papers that the Unnao victim had written to the Supreme Court. I was informed about the letter yesterday. I have not yet seen the letter. It is yet to be placed before me," CJI Gogoi reportedly said.
Proceedings
Senior lawyer spoke about POCSO cases; CJI mentioned letter
To note, the Unnao rape victim's accident was mentioned in court after senior lawyer V Giri demanded an urgent listing of cases under the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.
Giri, who is assisting the court in POCSO cases, said there have been "serious developments" in one of the cases.
Thereafter, CJI referred to the letter, which had kicked a media storm.
Do you know?
Trying to do something constructive: CJI Gogoi
Apparently hinting towards the media uproar, CJI Gogoi said, "We try to do something constructive in the midst of this highly destructive volatile environment and this happens.". The court also asked its Secretary General to submit a status report on the case on Thursday.
Details
On survivor's family's complaint, Sengar and accomplices were booked
After the accident, the survivor's uncle complained against Sengar prompting police to file an FIR against him and his aides.
Her mother demanded a CBI inquiry into the accident and on Tuesday night the premier investigative agency took over the case.
Fortunately, the survivor, who is undergoing treatment at Lucknow's KGMU, is said to be stable. However, she is still on a ventilator.