For last two days, I am reading news of AAP MLAs demanding CCTV cameras in their office and homes. The said demand was accepted by the speaker citing that they are under threat of being framed in false cases of molestation. At least 12 MLAs of the Aam Aadmi Party have been booked for offences ranging from cheating to molestation. And as if this was not enough the speaker said the civil defence volunteers would also be posted outside the offices of MLAs.
Surprisingly the MLAs have reportedly said that they would refer being under watch to prevent being framed. That essentially means they are willing to give up some of their freedom in the bid to evade false cases. And these cameras whose cost would be borne by the Government of Delhi would be installed in the offices of the MLAs regardless whether the same is in Government or a Private establishment. The speaker of Delhi assembly Mr. Ram Niwas Goel further said many people come to their offices and some level baseless allegations against them.
But the Delhi assembly or speaker do not have the guts to admit the root cause of the problem. It is very easy to allege molestation against anyone. The offence being non-bailable, the person is liable to arrest in the name of investigation. Something beats me, what sort of investigation is possible from the accused who has right of silence in such a case. Unless the case of the prosecution is that the accused would try to influence the witness and there is a genuine fear for the life of the witness or someone dear to her.
That reminds me of a time in December 2014. I was meeting all prospective candidates for the cause of Men that I espouse. By social media and through weekly meetings, I had conjured a support of around 2000 men and their families for the cause. It was decided unless a party/ candidate of the area is willing to talk about misuse in their manifesto/ election speech/ promise to work towards a law for punishing malicious prosecution, we would not support him or her. And if no candidate supported us, we would press NOTA. And 2000 families is a big number. I got most appointments because each candidate thought that these votes are from his constituency, but sadly it was fragmented over 70 constituencies of Delhi. Which meant on an average less than 30 families in each constituency.
I talked to them how easy it is for a man to be charged of false, malicious, vexatious or nefarious crime which he has never committed. And it is an uphill task for the man to prove his innocence. And even if he is acquitted from the charges, he would still bear the burns of litigation. Because mostly an accused is assumed to be guilty by the general population. Even when you shout from the roof top that “I am innocent”or “I am being framed”, Some of the people would come up with “Kuch to kiya hi hoga” “Bina aag ke dhuan nahi hota” “Koi ladki jhooti complaint nahi karti”.
Most astonishing was the response of these prospective MLAs of that time and I met over two dozen of them. And I rightly assume that people who stand for such coveted posts are more intelligent than an average person. They have more experience in dealing with cross-section of society and mostly they are more aware about a host of issues. Their interest dwindled as soon as reality dawned on them that we are talking about roughly 30 families in their constituency. So instead of supporting the cause, some thought/ tried bribing for the votes.
But the moot point is that when I met these candidates, without any exception, each and every candidate admitted that the laws are being grossly misused. The law related to dowry, molestation, rape and attempt to rape are mostly false. “We know it” and most gave some stories of such things happened to someone near or dear to them. One of them admitted to having settled such a matter by paying up. When I asked them to support the cause of men most looked at me with aversion. Talk against females? Talk about false cases? The public persona of the candidate should be seen supporting the “Abla-Naari” who could do no wrong.
I even tried meeting Arvind Kejriwal, who gave time thrice through different sources but cancelled always as he could not be seen siding with people, who talk against women. Our plea that we just talk against “unscrupulous women” were of no use. Talking against women would be political hara-kiri. And when the ashes of Nirbhaya have been aligned with the movement, how could they speak against a woman.
I recently met one MLA accused of molestation briefly. He smiled as he knew what I came for. But in the end he said, “Kapoor Sa’ab, aap samajhdaar ho. Hum to sirf Opposition ko hi target karenge.” Even when he acknowledged that anyone could face what he faced, but he like others lacked the will of taking bull by the borns.
The important question every citizen of Delhi should go and ask their MLA is – “We are paying for your security, what about our security?” Because every man has the same risk of being entangled in false and vexatious complaint. Total crimes against women as per latest NCRB data are 337922 across India, which is the third highest category of crimes and its conviction rate is less than 50% of average IPC crime conviction rate at 21.3%. Attempt to Rape is even worse at 14.7%, which means more than 85% of the accused are acquitted of the charges by the end of the trial, yet the Law makers of the country due to their misconstrued electoral mathematics are acting like “Dhritarashtra” and the Real “AAM AADAMI” is living the prime of his life as an accused. I want to raise this question that if the Rape Victim is getting compensation from the State, what is the state doing for all those acquitted in such false cases?
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