On Friday, the Madras High Court made a significant ruling, dismissing all appeals and affirming a sessions court order. This order declared 215 individuals, primarily from the police and forest departments, guilty of committing heinous acts, including the rape of 18 women, during a raid in Vachathi. This decision marks a crucial step towards justice for the victims and serves as a stern warning against such atrocities.Let’s delve into the details of this case, shedding light on the implications and significance of the High Court’s ruling.
The scars on their bodies may have healed, but the memories of the horrific events that occurred on June 20, 1992, are still vivid for the residents of Vachathi village. On that day, a large group of police, forest officials, and revenue officers descended upon their village, unleashing terror by raping women and destroying homes. Recently, the Madras High Court upheld a sessions court order that found 215 individuals, mostly from the police and forest departments, guilty of these atrocities, including the rape of 18 women. The village, seeking closure after more than 31 years, gathered under the shade of an ancient banyan tree, which had silently witnessed the horrors and the subsequent struggle. According to the villagers, the raiding party entered their village under the guise of cracking down on sandalwood smuggling. One survivor shared her account, explaining how the officials rounded up around 200 women under the banyan tree by 5 pm and handpicked 18 of them, claiming they needed assistance in retrieving hidden sandalwood logs near a nearby lake. The women officers who volunteered to accompany them were prevented from doing so. The abuse continued near the lake until around 9 pm. The survivors were then taken to Salem Central Prison, where they spent three months enduring further suffering. Although it took years, the verdict from the High Court has brought a newfound sense of hope for some of the survivors. One survivor expressed that this verdict has given their lives a renewed purpose, as they fought this battle to preserve the dignity of future generations.
Justice P Velmurugan’s order to provide Rs 10 lakh compensation to each rape survivor, as previously ordered in 2016, is a significant step towards justice. The Tamil Nadu government has been directed to promptly carry out this compensation and recover 50% of the amount from the convicted individuals. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the toll that seeking justice has taken on the survivors. The journey to accountability is not easy, and it is imperative for society to support and uplift these brave individuals as they heal and rebuild their lives.
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