Rajasthan: Selfie with rape victim triggers row

They were supposed to inquire about the incident and provide a healing touch to a gangrape survivor but the chairperson of Rajasthan State Women Commission (RSWC) Suman Sharma and her colleague Somya Gurjar rendered it into a publicity stunt.

In a clear violation of law, Somya Gurjar, who is a member of the commission, took selfies with the victim during their visit to the women police station on Tuesday. Two pictures showing Gurjar taking selfies with the gangrape has gone viral on WhatsApp.

Criticised over the episode, Somya Gujjar on Thursday resigned from the commission, but defended her action saying, “It was just an attempt to make the victim feel at ease.”

When the pictures triggered a controversy, Ms Sharma in her defence said, “I was not aware that Somya was taking a selfie as I was busy talking to the victim.” However, in the pictures, she is clearly seen looking into the frame of the mobile while Gurjar was taking the selfie.

In their enthusiasm, RSWC chairperson and her colleague forgot that as per court guidelines, identity of a rape victim cannot be disclosed.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued notice to the RSWC for clicking selfie with a rape survivor and has summoned both the Chairperson Suman Sharma and member Somya Gurjar who took the selfie with the rape survivor.

The state women commission team had gone to meet 30-year-old victim who was allegedly raped by her husband and his two brothers who also tattooed expletives on her forehead including “Mera Baap Chor Hai (Mu father is a thief) for not giving Rs 51,000 as dowry.