Rights Of Rape Victims

There are six rights available to thesurvivors of rape-^[3]

1.Right to Zero FIR.

2.Free medical treatment even in any private hospital.

3.No two-finger test during medical examination.

4.Harassment free and time bound police investigation.

5.Trial with full dignity, speed, protection.

6.Right to compensation.

1. The phrase "Zero FIR" means that the survivor of the rape case can file an FIR anywhere near her. Then the particular police station where the FIR is filed, that police station will forward the FIR to that place's police station where the incident really occurred. Police is liable to make an FIR and cannot say that they will make it only after an official enquiry

Section 154 of CRPC,1973(Information in the cognizable cases) –

Every information relating to the commission of a cognizable offense shall be entered in a book to be kept by such officer in such form as the state government may prescribe in this behalf.

Also, if an officer denies to file FIR then under IPC Section 166A – whoever, being a public servant fails to record any information given to him under sub-section (1) of section 154 of CRPC (1973), in relation to cognizable offense punishable under section 354 of IPC shall be punished with rigorous punishment which shall not be less than six months which may extend to 2 years and shall also be liable to fine.

2. Any hospitals government or private has to provide free medical treatment to the rape victims.

Clause (c) of section 375 of CRPC deals with the treatment of victims where all hospitals, public, or private shall immediately provide the first aid or medical treatment free of cost to the victims of any offense covered under section 354 of IPC (45 of 1860) and shall immediately inform the police of such incident.

IPC Section 166 B has provisions for non-treatment of victims where the authority in that case will be liable for 1 year punishment and as well as fine.

3. CRPC 164A – Medical exam of the victim of rape.

The two-finger test cannot be done to the rape victims.

The Apex Court in the case "Lillu Alias, Rajesh and another vs State of Haryana" [ Criminal Appeal No. 1226 of 2011]stated that the two-finger test and its interpretation violates the right of therape survivors to privacy, physical, mental integrity and dignity[4]. The test is done to check out whether any sexual activity has occurred or not or any marks of injury is present in the victim's body or not, it is not done for character assassination. If any gens doctor will do a medical test on the victim then he has to take required consent and has to give details of the whole procedure of the medical test done on the survivor. In the present time the forensic test is prescribed for the rape victims. And as such the Chhattisgarh government has taken an amendment that only lady doctors can examine the rape victims.

4. The rape victim has the right to harassment free and time bound police investigation.

Section 154(1) of CRPC, provided that if the information is given by the woman against whom an offense under section 354 is alleged to have been committed or attempted, then such information shall be recalled by a woman police officer or any woman officer.

Section 157, CRPC, Procedure of Investigation-

1(b) provided further that in relation to the offence of rape, the statement of the victim shall be conducted by the residence of the victim or in the place of her choice by a woman police officer in the presence of his parents or guardian.

5. Also, CRPC Section 26(a) provided that any offence under section 354 of the IPC (45 of 1860) shall be tried as far as practicable by a court presided over by a lady judge. Section 309 (1) trial to be completed in two months from the date of filing of the charge sheet. In the case of "Vishaka v. State ofRajasthan" (1997), Bhanwari Devi was gang-raped by five men as she was tryingto prevent a child marriage.^[5] The Supreme Court held that the safety of women at workplace is a must and convicted the five accused of sexual harassment. Also, CRPC Section 26(a) provided that any offence under section 354 of the IPC (45 of 1860) shall be tried as far as practicable by a court presided over by a lady judge. Also section 53A of Indian Evidence Act evidence of character or previous sexual experience not relevant in certain cases. Section 309 (1) trial to be completed in two months from the date of filing of the charge sheet.

Section 327(2) of CRPC states that the inquiry into and trial of rape shall be conducted in camera: provided further that the camera shall be conducted as far as practicable by a woman judge or Magistrate.

Section 327(3) of CRPC states that for confidentiality and no publication of proceedings subject to maintaining confidentiality of name and address of parties.

Section 173(1A) states that the investigation shall be completed within two months from the date on which the information was recorded.

6. CRPC section 357A states about victim compensation scheme. The victim is provided the compensation because the fundamental right which is stated in article 21 has been violated, so it becomes the state's responsibility to provide the compensation.

The Supreme Court in the case 'Nipun Saxena vsUnion of India' [ Civil Writ petition No. – 565 of 2012]^[6] gave the directions for framing a compensation scheme.

In the case of "Manohar vs State of Rajasthan and Ors", [ Criminal Appeal No. 99 of 2015] ^[7]the apex court gave out the ruling that compensation can be given even if the crime goes unpunished for want of adequate evidence.

The things which need to be included in the application for compensation are-

1.Severity mental and physical harm.

2.Loss of education opportunity.

3.If working women then loss employment opportunity.

The heinous crime of rape can never be pardoned and the victims has their strongest resort to litigation which will evidently help them to get their moral rights. As also, martial arts like- Karate should be taught to the girls in the school as part of vocational training^[8]. According to the National Crime Records Bureau of India, there are around 88 rape cases reported in the country every day. Thus, there is an urgent need to enhance some political sensitivity, special courts and training programmes to be able to control the worsening situation.

Views are personal.