L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Sarita episode raises many questions

The editorial “Rape of justice” (June 11) and the report “Cops have many questions to answer” (June 13) should be an eye-opener to all the states about the abuse of police powers and steady deterioration in law and order. Despite occasional reprimand and stern action by the high courts and the Supreme Court against the police officers, the states have never cared to look into the root cause of increasing criminal misconduct of the state police.

A police officer must register an FIR on every complaint submitted in the police station as often reiterated by the Supreme Court. The people, leaders, bureaucrats and top officials know that no officer of any police station could register an FIR without the consent of his supervisory officer like the SP.

R. S. MALIK, IAS (retd), Panchkula

II

The editorial “Rape of justice” is an apt focus on the consciousness of all the right thinking souls. Unquestionably in the victim’s store of ill-luck was exploitation, followed by gruesome rape by two cops. This apostle of Indian womanhood wanted to get released her husband who was in police custody, but in vain.

Distraught over the Haryana police attitude, overpowered by helplessness, she found herself unable to bail out her husband and to avoid public scrutiny, she preferred to end her life.

RAVI DATTA, Dehra (Kangra)

III

Ruchika M. Khanna’s article, “When protectors turn tormentors” (June 11) is well appreciated. True, the consciousness of every balanced and mature citizen is given a big jolt by Sarita’s suicide.

The writer has mentioned so many incidents of rape and molestation in Haryana, but some have escaped her memory. Even in schools, the innocent, growing young girl is not only tormented and humiliated but also sexually harassed by her own teachers and principals.

The insensitivity of the entire society, political bosses and bureaucrats is indeed despicable. The police and the bureaucracy are tools in the hands of the politicians. Why should anyone be allowed to commit the heinous crime without the fear of law? Are the top officers not equally responsible for their dereliction of duty?

When teachers turn wolves and protectors turn tormentors, whom should the woman turn to? She is not safe anywhere. All claims of development and welfare ring hollow. A small percentage of educated and empowered women too are playing into the hands of petty fellows. It is nothing but a lawless society.

PREM VASUDEVA, Karnal

IV

The editorial, “Rape of justice” and Ruchika M. Khanna’s article succintly explain the Haryana policemen’s deplorable attitude. These men in uniform, who were supposed to help and protect the people, have themselves become vultures. How can the Chief Minister, ministers and officials remain mute spectators to such horrendous incidents?

Unfortunately, if there is a character flaw among some policemen today, the onus is necessarily on the faulty and defective recruitment system. The molestation case involving a former DGP, S.P.S. Rathore, is still fresh in memory. In fact, the police seem to have a preconceived notion that any woman or girl who knocks the door of a police station for justice is of “loose character”.

RAMESH GUPTA, Narwana