In a historic verdict, 1992 Ajmer Rape Case: a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) court in Ajmer, Rajasthan has sentenced six accused to life imprisonment for their involvement in the 1992 Ajmer rape case. The case, which shook the nation over three decades ago, involved the sexual exploitation and blackmail of more than 100 schoolgirls aged between 11 and 20 years.
The convicts, Nafees Chishti, Naseem alias Tarzan, Salim Chishti, Iqbal Bhati, Sohail Ghani, and Sayad Zameer Hussain, were found guilty of gang-raping the victims and taking obscene photographs to blackmail them. The POSCO court judge, Ranjan Singh, also imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on each of the accused.
A Shocking Revelation and Delayed Justice
The scandal came to light in 1992 when a local newspaper article exposed the sexual exploitation of schoolgirls by a gang that blackmailed them using nude photographs. The perpetrators, who came from influential families of Khadims (caretakers of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s dargah), lured the girls to parties at farmhouses and restaurants, where they were drugged and gang-raped.
Despite the initial chargesheet being filed in November 1992, the case dragged on for over three decades, with many accused being acquitted or released on bail. The victims, now in their 50s and 60s, have been waiting for justice for most of their lives.
Convictions and Acquittals
Out of the 18 accused in the case, four convicts were initially ordered life imprisonment by the court However, the Supreme Court later reduced their sentences to 10 years in jail, and they were released after serving their term.
In 2001, the court acquitted four other accused, while one is still absconding and believed to have fled to the United States. The main accused, Farooq Chishti, who was the president of the Ajmer Youth Congress at the time, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court in 2007, but the Supreme Court later reduced his sentence to 10 years as well.
Ongoing Struggle for Justice
The case has been through various courts, including the High Court, Supreme Court, Fast Track Court, and now the POCSO Court. The struggle for justice has been arduous, with the victims facing threats and harassment throughout the process.
The film “Ajmer 92,” released in July 2023, depicts the true events of the rape, blackmail, and entrapment of 250 girls. Directed by Pushpendra Singh, the film faced opposition from Muslim organizations, who accused it of defamation.
Significance of the Verdict
The POCSO court’s verdict in the 1992 Ajmer rape case sends a strong message that justice, though delayed, can still be served. It also highlights the importance of perseverance and the need for a more efficient justice system to ensure that victims of sexual crimes receive timely justice.
The case has also sparked a movement across Rajasthan, demanding the arrest and justice for the victims. It has brought to light the vulnerability of young girls in the face of powerful perpetrators and the need for stricter laws and better implementation to protect them.
Conclusion
The 1992 Ajmer rape case is a stark reminder of the horrors that young girls can face and the challenges they encounter in seeking justice. The POCSO court’s verdict, while a step in the right direction, is just the beginning of a long journey toward healing and closure for the victims.
It is crucial that society learns from this tragedy and works towards creating a safer environment for children where they can thrive without fear of sexual exploitation. The government and law enforcement agencies must prioritize the protection of minors and ensure that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are swiftly brought to justice.