HC asks govt to file report on rape survivor

SHILLONG, July 4: A division bench of the High Court of Meghalaya on Monday directed the state government to file an additional report on the present condition of the survivor who was raped by former MLA Julius Kitbok Dorphang in 2016.
The court observed that the survivor, now aged 20, is still being looked after by the Child Welfare Committee.
The court also said that the detailed physical, psychiatric and psychological health of the survivor as was required to be examined by the previous order of June 8, 2022 may not have been appropriately done.
“In particular, the psychiatric and psychological aspects should be dealt with by experts, in view of the trauma that the survivor went through. It is also essential that the survivor be counselled as to her career since, despite the survivor being under the care of the Child Welfare Committee, it is reported that she was not interested in studies after completing her Class 6,” the court said.
The court also pointed out that the survivor has to be made self sufficient to be able to survive, support herself and live with dignity.
“The quantum of compensation will be assessed at a later stage and upon the conclusion of the appeal. Since the appellant seeks time to prepare a compilation of the case laws to be relied upon and make an analysis of the evidence, let the matter appear four weeks hence. A further report as to the present condition of the survivor should be filed by the state,” the court added.