In a glaring example of abominable failure of system which defeats the purpose of judiciary conclusively and paints whole process in extremely bad light, a rape case came up for trial after 41 long years in a Gujarat Court. The accuser woman, now 55, married and with grown up children had to convey to the court by way of pursis that she doesn’t want to pursue the case anymore.
In view of the woman’s statement that she doesn’t want to endure the legal proceedings at this stage of her life and other related facts, additional sessions judge D M Vyas passed the order on 30th November acquitting the accused.
As per the details of the case, a taxi driver from Mumbai had eloped with the woman, resident of Sarkhej, Ahmedabad in June 30, 1980. A friend of the joined them also who returned to Ahmedabad on July 3rd. On July 8th the girl was traced by the police. As per the statements of the witnesses, the taxi driver kept the girls at his house in Walkeshwar in Mumbai. It could not be established that the girls were confined by the accused. Another witness testified that he conducted marriage rituals of the accused but denied having seen the bride.
Since the woman in question unwilling to appear for court proceedings, the court, in absence of direct or indirect evidences acquitted the accused from the charges of rape, abduction or illegal marriage
