Brinda Karat slams Madras High Court judge comments

Chennai: CPI (M) politburo member Brinda Karat on Monday termed the observations made by Madras High Court judge P. N. Prakash on the gang rape of a speech and hearing impaired girl in Krishnagiri as second victimisation. She also took exception against naming the victim girl in the order. Ms Karat said that she would be meeting the Chief Justice of the high court seeking for removal of certain observations made in the judgment which will set a wrong precedent.

On Sept. 29, Justice Prakash ordered a re-investigation by CB-CID alleging that the petitioner’s conduct itself is suspect and prima facie it appears that he has trumped up false charges of rape against his neighbours who are still languishing in jail, and further the local police investigation appears to be swayed by public opinion.

“The judge has not taken into account the contentions made on behalf of the petitioner. Further it was not argued on the side of the prosecution that it was a false case. Though there were initial lapses in investigation, the same has been later rectified and also action has been taken against the erred police officials. But the judge went out of his element and acted / behaved like a defence counsel (accused counsel),” she said.

Stating that the judge has not made a single point in favour of the petitioner, she said. “His male chauvinism is visible to the core. Before even the trial gets started, he has come to the conclusion that there has been no rape and no excommunication,” she noted.

On the observation that public opinion was whipped up to take departmental action against the doctors who examined the victim earlier and also the police personnel, Ms Karat said that the judgment safeguards the erred officials and failed to take into account the torture met by the victim girl. “As a survivor of violence and atrocities, I come for justice but without hearing my case you pronounce judgment. It is second victimisation,” she said.