COVER STORY
09
photo: Shweta Basu, when she appeared for
an interview at 9XE following her acquition
Shweta was acquitted
from the case on 7th
December
2014.
Which means that
she is really a victim.
Then she should be
entitled to her privacy
and anonymity. For
instance, the law
prohibits anyone from
disclosing the identity
of a rape victim. The
penalty for disclosure,
even
accidental
and
unintentional
disclosure
is
imprisonment. Even
after death, Nirbhaya’s
identity is protected.
In contrast, Shweta’s
name, as well as
details about her
life, how much she
allegedly “charged”
have all been happily
broadcast
by
all
(including the police).
The worst thing is
that she was never
even convicted. Even
if the allegations were
true, to this day we do
not know anything
about the “pimp”
or all those paying
customers.
They
have all evaporated,
or did not exist. As a
victim she deserves
full protection of
anonymity, and all the
support that survivors
get. Thankfully many
prominent citizens,
film
actors
and
others have reached
out strongly in her
support. But the social
stigma of having been
caught in a police raid
will never go away.
This is most troubling,
that someone who is a
victim has to hide her
face in shame. And
those who exploited
her enjoy immunity
from the law and the
spotlight.
- Sga Thomas,
associate editor.
[email protected]