SC saves Uber rape survivor from harassment

By NewsGram Staff Writer

New Delhi: 26-year-old Uber rape survivor was saved from being harassed and humiliated for a second time, as the Supreme Court on Thursday squashed the Delhi High Court's order to allow the accused to re-examine the 13 witnesses including her.

The bench that rendered the judgement included Justice JS Khehar and AK Goel. The judgement came to the rescue of the survivor who sought the apex court's intervention in the case. She pleaded to save herself from the hassle and untoward situation of being asked by the High Court for a second round of examination of the witnesses.

The witnesses, including the 26-year-old, were examined by the lawyer of the accused Shiv Kumar Yadav. However, as the accused later changed his lawyer, he asked the court to re-examine the witnesses.

The accused changed his lawyer owing to his incompetency in examining the witnesses. The plea of the accused to re-examine the witnesses was strongly opposed by the Delhi police and the survivor.

"The conclusion of the high court that it is the accused alone who stands to suffer on account of the delay is totally wrong as it is the victim who suffers the most for having to go through a trial virtually from the beginning all over again," the girl said, as quoted in a leading daily.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi apprised the apex court of Yadav's criminal records and added that he was well versed with criminal proceedings.