Days after Kerala CPI (M) leader K Radhakrishnan revealed the Thrissur gang-rape survivor’s identity, following which the National Women’s Commission filed a case against him, CPI (M) Polit Buro member Brinda Karat slammed the leader for doing so.
Brinda Karat told Mathrubhumi News that it was indeed a mistake to have named the survivor.
“Under the present legal framework, we are not to name the victim. So, it was a mistake to have named the victim,” she said.
While speaking to the media on Friday informing the suspension of gangrape accused CPI (M) party member and Vadakkanchery Municipal Councillor PN Jayanthan, CPI (M) Thrissur district secretary Radhakrishnan had revealed the survivor's name.
Despite media persons cautioning the leader against doing so, the former speaker maintained that it was fair to reveal the victim's name, as the accused's identity is already out in the open.
Section 228 (a) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) makes divulging the identify of a rape victim as a punishable non-bailable offence that can attract a jail term of upto three years, along with a fine.
Brinda Karat’s response gains prominence, especially in the wake of two women CPI (M) leaders coming out in support of Radhakrishnan's statements.
Saying that Radhakrishnan had not committed any "grave mistakes", State's Health Minister KK Shylaja had said that the social conditions must change positively enough to address a victim of sexual crime by her name.
T N Seema, CPI(M) MP and leader of All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) had defended Radhakrishnan saying that the "circumstances and situations" might have compelled him to reveal the victim's name.
However, Brinda Karat's statement on Monday was not devoid of slamming the previous UDF government, as the alleged rape took place in 2014.
She said that it was a serious matter that a rape victim did not have enough courage and confidence in the ruling government to have complained about the incident. According to the 32-year-old woman, she was allegedly gangraped by four men including two CPI (M) members in 2014.