Accuser in sexual assault complaint dressed provocatively, Indian court rules
A court in Southern India has dismissed a sexual assault complaint on grounds that the victim dressed provocatively. The accused a 74-year old man had been accused of sexual harassment and assault but was granted anticipatory bail and was not formally charged. The ruling by the charge caused causing public outrage in the country where women continue to face discrimination and are afraid to report cases of sexual assault. India is notorious for high levels of sexual crimes against the country and for the way these are handled by the justice system.
Early this week, a court freed 11 men who were serving a life sentence for gang rape of a pregnant woman in the infamous Muslim riots of 2002. Speaking to Reuters, officials from Panchmahals district where the 11 had been serving their sentence, after being convicted in 2008, were released due to their good behaviour and the time they had spent in prison. However, the move attracted widespread criticism from the victim’s lawyer and family as well as government officials in the opposition.
