The crime rape of a twenty-three old physiotherapy student Jyothi Singh, enacted by 6 men on a bus in Delhi – was so brutal and outraged the world and banged the Indian legal system into reconsidering the women protections in India.
The incident tool place on December 16, 2012 on an evening in India’s capital Delhi, Munirka. Jyothi and his make friend Awindra Pandey were returning home after watching Life of Pi – A movie about a young boy who strives hard to survive against unbelievable odds – before getting to a bus.
Once they got it to the bust, the lights were shit and the doors were locked before beating the girl and his friend with an iron rod. All of the six men had been drinking before the assault, according to police and had robbed a carpenter earlier in the day on the same bus.
After raping and torturing her brutally on a moving bus, they threw them out if the vehicle. Both victims were bleeding with no clothes and other valuables.
13 days later – she was called as Nirbhaya (fearless). She was airlifted to a Singapore hospital later died and the victim’s mother Asha Devi wanted her daughter’s name made public as she was not guilt – ridden to name her and that the victims and families must be hang to death in shame.
Also, the national uproar kindled by the crime led to the passage of various amendments to the Indian law on sexual offenses, thought it is also said that it needs more by activists to protect women from assault.
How this was first learned by the Delhi police?
The day after the attack, the FIR was filed with the Vasant Vihar Police station. Following the complaint, the officials sprang into swift action to locate the offenders.
The investigation proceeded in less than 24 hours
Less then a day after the brutal attack, with the help of highway CCTV footage the police officials were able to locate the key suspect, Ram Singh the bus driver. He was there in the bus where the assault took place and quickly arrested.
The other perpetrators were able to located on victim’s descriptions and messages sent form the victim’s stole mobile phones.
The other defendants
- Mukesh Singh – Age 30 at the time of crime, was a part – time bus driver cleaner. He stays in Ravidas camp, South Delhi. He lived along with his elder brother Ram Singh (also a convict of this case) in a two-room shanty
- Vinay Sharma – Age 20, was a Gym trainer and his residence is also Ravidas camp. He stayed with is parents and sister. Vinay was pursuing BA from Delhi University
- Pawan Gupta – Age 19, a fruit seller and stayed at Ravidas camp with his parents and younger sister.
- Akshay Thakur – Age 28, a bus cleaner also stayed at Ravidas Camp. He is a school dropout and moved to Delhi just a year before the crime.
- Ram Singh – Age 33, a bus driver also stayed at Ravidas Camp. He committed suicide in Tihar Jail on March 11, 2013. He stayed with his brother Mukesh singh in a two room shanty.
- Juvenile – name not officially released, Age 17, residence Delhi. He is the eldest of the 6 children and left his village at the age of eleven and stated to do menial works in Delhi. He was released after three-year term at a correction home.
The changes made in the Indian legal system as a result of the crime
In 2013, Nirbhaya fund was established by the finance minister aiming the funding initiatives for women’s safety security and economic empowerment.
In March 2013, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha passed amendments – a criminal law act, 2013 also known as Nirbhaya Act – to the Indian Penal code, Indian Evidence Act and Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 on penalizing for sexual assault.
Social reaction
There were so many social outrages due to the brutal incident. There were candle light marches, protects and solidarity movement in India. The country has always been ill – famed for being unsafe for women and this created a spark which exploded the public outage fire. This was not just restricted within the country, but the whole world has formed an opinion about India.
A documentary was also released called “India’s Daughter” which was banned by the central government as it portrayed the country in a very belittling and poor light.
The social media was flooded with outrages. In the contemporary times, with easy to access technology, the social media reactions reflected the situation and mood in the country. It was one of the most trending news on the internet. Organization like AIPWA, India Progressive Women’s Association also made its mark.
Nirbhaya Trust
The victim’s patents also established a Trust under the name “The Nirbhaya Jyoti Trust” an initiative that offers shelter and resource for victims of sexual violence.
The convicts have been hanged till death
On Friday, March 20, 2020 all the four convicts were handed for this crime till death on 5.30 AM. They were the first executions since 2013 in India.
Conclusion
India is known for quite a lot of things. The positive ones are its beautiful scenic beauty, diversity of religion and culture. But often, a few incidents that take place which make these positive elements take a backseat in foreign, and also domestic public opinion. The incident was a spark which kindled the fire of negative opinion about the country.
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