In 1984, when Rajalakshmi was 28 years old, she was raped by a police inspector, when she had gone to file a complaint at a police station along with her husband. Twelve years later, in 1996, a trial court sentenced the policeman to 11 years in prison. An additional thirteen years later and twenty five years after the rape (and probably after the rapist has been released from prison), the Madras High Court has ruled that the state government must compensate her for the long, protracted legal struggle, during which time she was forced to sell her house and other possessions.
Rajalakshmi's story illustrates the shortcomings in our legal systems, where speedy justice is largely unobtainable. This automatically becomes a deterrent, ensuring that fewer women are inclined to report crimes, whether rape or sexual assault or harassment.
Rape victim gets compensation after 25 years, The New Indian Express, 19 November 2009
After 25 years, woman raped by police officer gets relief , The Hindu, 19 November 2009
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