Rise in Rage against Burning of Rape Survivor in Unnao !

In another shocking event, a 23-year-old woman from Unnao, who was raped by five men in March this year, was set on fire while going to court for the same matter. She is admitted in a hospital in a critical condition with severe burns.

It is important to remember the that Unnao made the national headlines in April, 2018 when a girl tried to self-immolate outside UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s residence as she was denied justice by the UP police and the judicial system. The UP Police did not file an FIR against the BJP MLA Kuldeep Senger, despite the girl and her family approaching the police several times. It was only after the family approached the chief judicial magistrate that an FIR was lodged, but even then, the police did not take any action. The family started getting repeated threats for pursuing the case. The girl’s father was beaten severely by Sengar’s brother and his associates, framed by the police and taken into custody where he died. In August 2018, the key witness to the murder of the girl’s father died under suspicious circumstances. In July 2019, the girl’s uncle was sentenced to 10 years jail in a 20 years old case filed by Sengar’s brother. Later that month, the girl’s car was hit by a truck, while she was on her way to Rae Bareilly. Her two aunts died on spot, while she and her lawyer sustained critical injuries. Despite the girl and her family requesting the UP Government to provide them with protection and move them to Delhi since they were not safe in UP, their requests were never paid heed to. The delay in justice led to a series of events threating the lives of her and her family members.

The impunity given to rape accused and the denial of speedy justice emboldens them to threaten and attempt to kill the survivors when they approach the court of law. One of the five men in this case is the son of a village Pradhan. The men were out on bail when they attacked and burnt her. She has sustained 90% burns, and is now being treated in a hospital in Lucknow. She was on her way to a court hearing in Rae Bareilly. She was given no protection by the Uttar Pradesh Police despite seeking protection against repeated threats. This is telling of the complete lawlessness in UP.
It was just a few days ago when rape cases from different parts of the nation made the headlines – a woman in Hyderabad was gang raped and killed, a Dalit girl was raped and hanged in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, a 25 year law student was gangraped by 12 men in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

On behalf of AISA, we demand that the UP government ensures a speedy trial. Ensuring a hundred percent conviction in cases of sexual violence along with speedy trial and protection of the victim from the powerful accused is of utmost importance to help survivors to report cases and get justice. The UP Government must also be held responsible for the rising number of crimes against women.

To support AISA, Click here to donate.