Deepika Singh Rajawat

Asifa’s brutal rape and murder

activist-lawyer

Jammu

Jammu Bar Association

Hindu Ekta Manch

, Asifa’s lawyer, tells Mirror why she took up the case and how rights of women and kids are routinely violated in J&K.Eight-year-oldin January has led to national outrage, candle-light vigils and marches demanding justice for her across the country. But at the heart of the matter is, anfrom, ensuring the perpetrators are brought to justice. Here she talks about how women and children are victimised on the street, in homes and in courts tooI am a lawyer and activist. We have an NGO and helpline that tends to issues that concern women and children, especially victims of landmines. I have had the privilege of working with Indira Jaising, the former Additional Solicitor General of India, I was among 15 lawyers selected in 2014-2015 to work with her on women’s rights. I am 38 and I have a five-year-old daughter. My husband was in the army but now he works in Bahrain and I am here to serve my country, along with my young child.I had heard about Asifa’s case and the police investigations like everyone else. I approached her father in February, and extended legal support. I told him we could file an application in the High Court and get the case transferred to the Crime Branch.Yes, we are happy with the Crime Branch’s findings. In the initial leg of the probe, the police team had damaged the case completely. For example, Asifa’s clothes were washed by one of the accused.If you visit me I will take you to some places here. You will feel so, so sorry, your heart will break. Especially where victims of landmines are concerned.There was a judicial officer called Rajesh Abrol, he had fraudulently married his maid, without informing her that he already had a wife. He had raped her several times. He is now suspended and has been booked for rape. Then there are many cases that fall under the ambit of the Domestic Violence Act. This is a very good recourse for women. But there are no convictions here, women are instead humiliated in courts when they come for help.He had threatened me. But now I have received protection. I also met the Women’s Commission. But the Jammu Bar Council is against me because I am not a part of them. They have protested against the Crime Branch’s charge-sheet in Asifa’s case by going on a continuous strike.Who am I to say who is putting pressure? I just need justice for this girl, despite any political game. But the police have botched up investigations for sure. It’s only now that four police officers have been arrested.In 2012, I was expelled from the Bar Association’s membership because of a case involving a 12-year-old maid who had gone missing. But now that case has been closed and all evidence destroyed.It will not have any legal issues. There are forces that are trying to make this a communal issue.Now that a charge-sheet is framed, where are they now? I want to know what they have to say now.Yes they know about the protests now. They are very scared and are looking for a safe place to stay.