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Wednesday, May 04, 2005

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Outrage over alleged rapist proposing to victim

Staff Correspondent

The victim sustained grievous injuries on her eyes and throat in the attack. AIDWA says it is a ploy to escape punishment

NEW DELHI: : Women's groups are outraged over a city court accepting an application by a rape convict offering to marry the girl he had sexually assaulted, two years ago. The application was moved on Tuesday when the court was to announce the sentence. The accused, Bhura, was found guilty of raping a 22-year-old nurse in a hospital in East Delhi on April 26, 2003.

"This is outrageous and insulting and will set a bad precedent," All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) vice-president Brinda Karat said. In his application, Bhura appealed to the court to take a lenient view while pronouncing the quantum of punishment as he had "reformed'' and willing to marry the girl.

"How can anyone even suggest to a victim to marry the person who has violated her dignity,'' Ms. Karat asked while adding that it was just a ploy to escape punishment.

The incident had taken place in Shanti Mukund Hospital in East Delhi and the girl had sustained grievous injuries on her eyes and throat in the assault. Ms. Karat said that the application should not have been entertained in the first place.

"There is no guarantee of the victim's life after marriage after all he tried to kill her earlier."

Ranjana Kumari of the Centre for Social Research and women's rights activist said it amounted to inflicting insult to injury. "This is not his large-heartedness. He is using the victim's vulnerability to escape punishment,'' she said.

"Marriage is based on mutual faith, respect and trust which have been violated by the convict. No woman can live with a man who has violated her body, dignity and her being," she said.

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