Indian nuns, women laud court verdict against rape mediation

Women’s rights activists have lauded a ruling by India's Supreme Court directing lower courts not to allow rapists to attempt any form of compromise or mediation with their victims.  The nation’s top court's July 1 ruling came days after a High Court judge in south India granted bail to a convicted rapist to seek a negotiated marriage with his victim. However, the victim - who is a minor and has a child born as a consequence of the rape -  refused and the case triggered a public outcry across the country.

Sister Jessy Kurian, a Catholic nun and practicing lawyer at the Supreme Court lauded the ruling saying, “The court has upheld the dignity of women and their right to live safe and secure in this country.” She told ucanews.com that the judgment is a “welcome step” for restoring the faith of rape victims across the country in the judiciary.  Another Supreme Court lawyer-nun Sister Mary Scaria said the Supreme Court has given a direction not only for the legal fraternity but also for Indian society, where sometimes rape cases are hushed up to safeguard family prestige. “Rape is not an offense which can be compounded. If anybody enters into such agreement, it only shows the patriarchal mindset which looks down upon women,” she added.

Ranjana Kumari, a leading rights activist who heads the Centre for Social Research, lauded the Supreme Court’s ruling saying “Courts are supposed to deliver justice and not push the victims for compromise with a person who has inflicted bodily harm on her.”  “It is the man who commits the crime, and not the woman,” she said.  Jagmati Sangwan of the All India Democratic Women’s Association also hailed the judgment saying it is a strong signal from the highest judicial authority that any attempt by courts to settle rape cases through compromise will not be tolerated.  She said the judgment will encourage rape survivors and their families to go to the courts seeking justice.  (Source: Ucan)