Out of court settlement of 20 year old rape case: It happens only in India
17 Feb, 2013In 1993, an FIR was filed with the Delhi police regarding the rape of a minor girl. The accused was arrested and a charge sheet was filed but within six months. However, the accused was released on bail as the case file went missing. Readers may refer to the link for the report previously put up on site. http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/missing-file-rape-case-yet-reach-trial-court-after-3124
Recently, the replies to applications under the Right to information (RTI) Act from Delhi police and the Saket court showed that though the case file was missing, the matter was shown as active in police and court records. A PIL was filed with the Delhi high Court in this regard stating that the case was pending in the lower court without any hearing.
The HC had asked the district judge and the police to submit a report on the PIL. Now, the investigating officer has informed the court that the matter was settled out of court. He also informed the court that the accused is still in Tihar jail in connection with another rape case.
The High Court expressed anger over the out of court settlement of a severe crime like rape, but agreed not to reopen the case which might affect the current marital life of the victim. The court has asked the advocate who had filed the PIL to verify from the victim whether there was any settlement or not.