Daily Times

After the shocking April 21 verdict that saw the accused acquitted, Mukhtaran Mai has once again filed a review petition in the Supreme Court (SC) against the majority decision of a three-man bench of the SC. The April 21 verdict left civil society, human rights activists and various women’s groups in the country deeply shocked and saddened at what they deemed as a miscarriage of justice. The dissenting judge upheld that the “healed bruises” present on the victim’s body were enough evidence to confirm that rape had taken place. However, the majority decision upheld that there was “absence of injuries and marks on the body of the prosecutrix”. This suggests, as the review petition too argues, that the verdict was the result of a misreading of the record of the Mukhtaran case, and that application of settled law was not adhered to. In a rape case, when the victim’s own statement is crucial, to dismiss Mukhtaran’s claims and those of the lady doctor who confirmed her rape, seem unbecoming of the most respected institution in the land. This has left Mai knocking, once again, at justice’s door. She is asking for a complete review of the SC’s decision to acquit the accused, to be heard by a larger bench.

Mukhtaran Mai has become a household name, at home and abroad. In a patriarchal society where notions of female honour and revenge have often led to murder and rape of the fairer sex, giving a fair break to women is hardly ever heard of. She dared to seek justice for a crime where victims usually commit suicide or hang their heads in shame and ‘disappear’. By not closely looking into the details of the record of the case, the SC has set an alarming precedent, where rape becomes an un-punishable offence.

It is vital that this review petition get the fair hearing and attention it deserves. By preventing the miscarriage of justice, the SC holds the promise of being a saviour for the many women who have been denied justice in cases of this heinous crime. It must show to the world that the nation will not allow injustice to stand and will do all that is in its power to prevent such abominations against women. *