The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Women's groups protest against grant of bail to accused in acid attack case

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 25, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Women's groups protest against grant of bail to accused in acid attack case

Staff Reporter

The victim from Kollegal had won the case in a court in Mysore district

DEMANDING JUSTICE: Members of `Campaign and Struggle against Acid Attacks on Women' staging a demonstration in Bangalore on Friday. — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

Bangalore: Members of "Campaign and Struggle against Acid Attacks on Women" on Friday staged a demonstration at Mysore Bank Circle here protesting against the High Court's decision to grant bail to the accused in an acid attack case.

The campaign comprises Mahila Jagruti, Pedestrian Pictures, Hengasara Hakkina Sangha, People's Union for Civil Liberties (Karnataka), women's rights activists, legal representatives, academics, students and other organisations.

The victim

Nirmala, an acid attack survivor from Kollegal, won the case in a court in Mysore district. The accused was sentenced to five years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 50,000 imposed on him. The High Court granted bail to the accused, Ms. Nirmala's husband.

"Ms. Nirmala came to Bangalore seeking help to fight her case in the High Court. She now fears for her safety and that of her family as the accused has been released. We are following the case and are in touch with Public Prosecutor Dore Raju," president of the campaign Shashikala Belagali said. The right to bail is meant to protect the rights of the accused. However, in acid attack cases, the accused released on bail often threaten women and their families and ask them to withdraw cases, Mallige, volunteer of Mahila Jagruti, said. "In one case, the attacker kept sending postcards to the victim and threatened to blind her in an attack after he was released on bail," she said.

Members of the campaign said they are concerned that the High Court decision will set a precedent for cases related to acid attacks that are in the court.

Ms. Mallige said the protest was to create public awareness about the increase in the number of acid attack cases and the release of accused on bail.

"The entire legal system is apathetic to the plight of the survivors," said Usha B.N. of Hengasara Hakkina Sangha. She referred to a judgment passed in 2005 where an accused was set free despite evidence.

Demands

According to the campaign, bail should not be granted to the accused in acid attack cases. Cases should be booked under IPC 326 at the time of registering complaints and the maximum punishment meted out to those found guilty. Acid attack cases should be tried on a timeframe as delays cause misery to victims.

Ms. Mallige said a memorandum has been submitted to the Directorate of Prosecution and the Secretary of the Women's Commission.

"We will also meet Basavaraj Horatti, Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, and submit a memorandum soon," she said.

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