Madras High Court on Thursday granted bail to a rape accused before referring the case for mediation between the minor rape victim and the accused.
Invoking religion, Justice D Devadass said,” even in Islam, Hinduism and Christianity, there are instances of solving the disputes in a non-belligerent manner. The result of it is very good because there is ‘no victor, no vanquished’.”
According to an Indian Express report, the judge informed the parties how he had referred another similar case for mediation and this has had quite a happy outcome. The rape accused had agreed to marry the victims in that case.
He added, “In the facts and circumstances, the case before us is a fit case for attempting compromise between the parties. ‘Mediation’ mode is best suited to them…Keeping the appellant inside the jail and asking him to participate in the mediation talk will not result in any fruitful result. He should be enabled to participate in the deliberations as a freeman and vent his feelings, open his mind and moorings. ‘Where there is a will, there is a way’.”
The verdict also commented on how women were soft targets of male lust.
“They are considered as chattels, although in our country they are hailed as Sakthi, Mother, Sister, Nurse, Life Partner, Face Saver, All in one. And behind everyman’s success, they are there. They do deserve dignity than indignation.”
Justice Devdass was pronouncing order on an appeal and a bail plea filed by the accused, V Mohan, who was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined Rs 2 lakh by one Mahila Court in Cuddalore. Though he has yet to serve his prison term, the girl in question delivered a baby after she was raped by Mohan, who committed this crime with two of his other associates.