Gupta Promises Probe Into Rape Victims Death

Union home minister Indrajit Gupta yesterday assured members of the Rajya Sabha that the government would make a thorough inquiry into the incidents that led to the death of a rape victim in a government hospital in Delhi recently.

He also expressed readiness for a judicial enquiry into the incident, but said that such inquiries take an inordinately long time.

The inquiry will cover all aspects of the case, including the alleged police inaction in apprehending the rapists, Gupta said.

while admitting that the capitals graph of crime against women was alarming and distrubing. Delhis law and order is directly under the central government.

 

Guptas assurance came in response to members unanimous demand during zero hour that the home minister should give a statement on the issue. The entire House was agitated and members rose on their feet when Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Gurudas Dasgupta raised the issue of the rape victims death.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) member Mohammad Salim, who was in the chair, directed the government to make a statement on the issue. Shortly after that, Gupta gave the assurance.

Giving a vivid account of the incident, Dasgupta alleged that Rajawatis rapists dragged the victim out of her house and put her to flames because she approached the court and identified her tormentors. She was raped in September 1995 and threatened by the rapists not to approach the court or the police, Dasgupta said.

The government hospital to which she was admitted discharged her within three days without treating her properly. She apparently died of secondary infection from her burn injuries, Dasgupta said.