Activist Who Led Protests Against Delhi Gang-Rape Becomes Victim Herself

New Delhi, 18 Dec 2013: A year after the brutal Delhi gang-rape on 16 December 2012, a young woman who actively led protests at India Gate has now become a victim of sexual assault herself. The 25-year-old, who had endured police baton charges and witnessed the fatal injury of Constable Subhash Tomar during the protests, is now fighting for justice.

The woman has accused Khurshid Anwar, Executive Director of the Institute for Social Justice (ISJ), of raping her. The police have registered a case under Sections 376 and 328 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

A former Delhi University student, the survivor played a key role in the protests following the gang-rape, which deeply impacted her life. Later, she joined an NGO funded by ISJ and travelled to Uttarakhand to assist flood victims.

In a three-hour testimony recorded by Madhu Kishwar of Manushi, the woman recounted that, upon returning from Uttarakhand on 12 September, she attended a party at Anwar’s residence. “She said that after consuming alcohol, she felt unwell, vomited, and became dizzy. Anwar then offered her his bedroom to rest. When the other guests left, she was still asleep in his room. It was then that Anwar raped her,” Kishwar stated.

According to Kishwar, some guests had offered to stay back to look after the woman, but Anwar declined, saying he would take care of her himself.

The survivor claimed that when she reported the incident to her employers the next day, they discouraged her from undergoing a medical examination. “She said they even washed her clothes to destroy any evidence,” Kishwar added. Since the NGO was funded by ISJ, it may have had reasons to prevent the case from coming to light, she suggested.

Kishwar recorded the testimony on 19 September, six days after the alleged incident. The survivor, who does not belong to Delhi and comes from a financially weak background, was initially hesitant to file a complaint. “She told me her mother was unwell and she needed money to support her. She also struggled with her studies due to her activism. Her friends, however, encouraged her to record her testimony,” Kishwar said. Manushi assured her that they would not take any action unless she wished them to.

While the woman returned home to care for her mother, her friends and fellow volunteers from the NGO approached the National Commission for Women (NCW) to help file a complaint. “We have reviewed the CD, her testimony, and statements from her friends. It is clear that she was raped,” said NCW member Nirmala Samant.

The commission has written to the Delhi Police Commissioner, urging them to investigate. “We sent a letter on 14 December requesting an inquiry and a response within four days. We are still awaiting their reply,” Samant said.

Despite repeated attempts, Khurshid Anwar was unavailable for comment.

A senior police official overseeing the case confirmed that they had registered a complaint under Sections 376 and 328 of the IPC. “The survivor is currently out of Delhi. We have contacted her and requested her statement. She has named the accused and the NGO she worked with. Once she records her statement and undergoes a medical examination, we will question the other individuals mentioned in her complaint,” the officer stated.

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