29 years after ‘gang rape by cops’ in UP’s Rampur, woman deposes | India News – Times of India

AGRA: She was 30 years old when she was allegedly gang-raped by policemen from UP at Rampur Tiraha during the brutal crackdown on protesters demanding a separate state of Uttarakhand in 1994. Almost 60 now, she deposed with her testimony for the first time before a court in Muzaffarnagar as both victim and witness of the crime.

Additional district government counsel (ADGC) Parvinder Singh told TOI, “CBI presented the rape survivor before the court (No. 7) of additional district and sessions judge Shakti Singh in Muzaffarnagar on Tuesday with full police protection.”
The survivor raised concerns about her safety, following which the court ordered that her security cover be tightened. During the proceedings, no one was allowed inside the courtroom except the woman and her lawyers.

District government counsel (DGC) Rajeev Sharma said, “The victim was sent back home with full security after the honourable judge fixed August 2 as the next date of hearing. This is the first time that this rape accused (who was escorted by policemen from Uttarakhand) has appeared, and she supported her statement made under section 161 CrPC before the police soon after the incident way back in 1994.”
On the night of October 1, 1994, hundreds of activists on their way to Delhi from the hilly region of Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand) were stopped by police at Rampur Tiraha in Muzaffarnagar. Initially, there was a lathi charge followed by police firing in which at least six people died and several others were injured. Later, incidents of sexual assault on women, including minors, were also reported. Over the years while some of the survivors spoke out, others chose to remain quiet, some of them due to pressure from their own families who were fearful that their “honour” would be sullied..
Rape cases in various stages of trial in courts
Subsequently, six cases were registered at Chhapar police station against the accused policemen for the violence. These cases are in various stages of trial in different courts of Muzaffarnagar.
Two rape cases are being heard by court No 7, said Parvinder Singh.
Another rape case related to the Rampur Tiraha incident is being heard in the same court, and CBI is yet to present that rape survivor from Uttarakhand.
Giving details of the case, the ADGC said, “CBI could not present the rape victim before court due to heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand, where several roads are blocked in the district concerned.”
(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)