We got Justice but Trial felt like it would Kill us, says Rape survivor’s Mother

For 6 years, I have been petrified that he may getaway. The case took over our lives. We spend days, weeks, months, in courtroom after courtroom, reduced to initials & numbers. I was PW12 — Prosecution Witness No 12.

I would fly in from Singapore, where I live, for the proceedings. When the defence lawyer walked in, it would be time to be violated again & again. I felt helpless & only the presence of sensitive people like special public prosecutor Vaibhav Bagade & police inspector Rajiv Chavan made me feel safe.

Truth doesn't matter at Criminal Justice trials. At every hearing your dignity is shredded. My daughter had to depose, & so did I & my other daughter, in front of the rapist. When he was not present, his lawyer made up for it. They didn’t have evidence to exonerate this man, so they resorted to lies. I was told it was legally allowed.

My daughter’s undergarments, her favourite boots, every injury on her body, was used repeatedly as a tool to demolish her character & suggest that there were reasons, even justifications, for the crime.

You want to scream but you are silent.

The Court is a place where everybody is equal & has to walk through the same doors. But is it an equal justice to have had her morals called into question?

Even if the results are eventually just, the proceedings feel like they will kill you. Sensitivity is absent & mindsets & biases that have no place in a court of justice, get free reign.

I believe people convicted of rape or murder should get the death penalty. This man will be released after 10 years.

When a mother’s worst nightmare comes true, it is irrevocable. Some wounds are here to stay but I may now start to sleep in peace.

Because of all the questioning & scrutiny, my daughter has fresh scars to heal from. She is a survivor. She will get through this in time. But we shouldn’t have to be this strong.

My daughter deserved respect & compassion, & everywhere we turned, with very few exceptions, she didn’t get it.

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