25-Years Old Rape Case Comes To Haunt Authorities Again

Kupwara: Twenty five years after a speech and hearing impaired woman was allegedly raped by soldiers in Kupwara, the state human rights commission on Monday issued a stern warning and summons to the deputy commissioner of the district hearing a complaint about the case.

The victim died in 2011.

Her brother says in his complaint to SHRC that she was “raped and tortured ruthlessly by the army” soldiers in 1993 for which a case of rape (FIR No. 118/26/5/1993) established through medical examination was also registered in police station Kupwara.

On Monday, the SHRC took a strong note of the district authorities repeatedly ignoring earlier summons to appear before it while hearing a complaint received from the victim’s brother, a resident of Malpora in Kupwara, in 2014.

The Commission finally issued a warrant against deputy commissioner of Kupwara, directing police to ensure his presence on the next date of hearing on Dec 12.

“In view of the order passed by the hon’ble chairperson in the instant case, you are commanded to arrest Dy Commissioner district Kupwara and ensure his presence on 12.12.2018,” the SHRC order reads.

“However, in case he furnishes his personnel bond with one surety to the tune of Rs 2000/- he be released, but bound him to appear before the commission on the mentioned date.”

Earlier, in April the commission lamented that investigation in the case was not completed and that the report submitted in November 2017 by an assistant superintendent of police for Kupwara “makes pathetic reading”.

In its order then, the SHRC said, “It is expected that response from home secretary will be received by next date, as the commission wants to know response of the govt. before it passes any final order.”

SHRC had also stated that in spite of its order, “if no response is received, the matter will be decided in the light of the reports filed by the police.”

The victim’s brother has also requested the commission to recommend compensation under SRO-43 in his favour.

The SHRC, described by rights activists in the past as “toothless” has only recommendatory powers and the government is not bound to obey its orders.