On March 11, 2014, soon after the telecast of Satyamev Jayate's episode, Fighting Rape, Aamir Khan and Star India CEO Uday Shankar sent a letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI). They asked the CJI to intervene on some issues that affect survivors of rape in India and delay and at times, even deter the securing of justice.
They said, "In dozens of interactions with rape survivors, their families and legal and social institutions supporting them, we discovered that there are several factors that act as roadblocks to the path of justice. These include non-registration of First Information Reports ('FIR'), improper/ inefficient collection of forensic evidence, humiliating treatment at hospitals and police stations, dissuasion of women from doing medical examinations by doctors, vital evidence being collected incorrectly and intimidation and humiliation in and outside court."
The episode had pointed out that this shocking treatment is meted out by public institutions like the police, hospitals and judiciary. It also showed that society stigmatizes and re-traumatizes survivors and their families. Therefore, Mr Khan and Mr Shankar felt that it was essential to put before the CJI a request for the implementation of three measures that can ensure swift action is taken for speedy justice. These are:
i. One-Stop Rape Crisis Centres
In December 2012, the Government of India set up the Justice Usha Mehra Commission which suggested measures to improve women's safety. A key recommendation was the setting up of One-Stop Rape Crisis Centres in designated hospitals across the country. These centres would have, under one roof, a medical expert, trained police officer, woman counsellor or NGO representative, forensic expert, qualified nurse and metropolitan magistrate, for immediate care and assistance. Mr Khan and Mr Shankar urged that the CJI take steps to set up these centres in every district of the country.
ii. Vulnerable Witness Courtrooms
In 2013, the Delhi High Court created the Vulnerable Witness Deposition Complex, a special courtroom in the Karkardooma Court Complex, where survivors can testify in a safe and secure environment. Mr Khan and Mr Shankar hailed this as an exemplary move that would go a long way in restoring the faith of vulnerable witnesses in the judicial system.
iii. Uniform implementation of a gender-sensitive protocol for medical examination
The medical examination of a survivor of rape in India has been found to be invasive, insensitive and re-traumatizing. Many doctors still perform the archaic 'two-finger test', which is both unscientific and irrelevant. Mr Khan and Mr Shankar said that survivors must receive physical treatment that is prompt, efficient and scientific, as well as psychological help to help the survivor cope with the trauma of the assault.
At the time the letter was written, there were approximately 59 lakh individuals who had lent their support to this cause, both through the show and its website. Today, this number has risen to 1.7 crore and continues to rise. If you too would like to support these causes, sign the petitions here. We will take your voices to the relevant public authorities.
To read the entire text of the letter, click here.