Former deputy chairperson of Maharashtra Legislative Council, Neelam Gorhe, on Wednesday celebrated Diwali with Mathura, survivor of the 1972 custodial rape case, at Sindewahi taluka of Chandrapur district
Chandrapur: The ramshackle mud hut in a remote Chandrapur hamlet still stands as a grim reminder of the past as 71-year-old Mathurabai walked into her new concrete house a few feet away. On Wednesday, the brave tribal survivor of the 1972 custodial rape case that changed India’s rape laws and brought dignity to millions of survivors, had a familiar visitor in Neelam Gorhe, former legislative council deputy chairperson, who had vowed to give her a dignified life when she came to her doorstep exactly a year ago. Now in her seventies, Mathura, a Gond tribal girl, had faced stigma and hardship for 54 years. Mathura was a young, orphaned tribal girl in 1972. On March 26 that year, her brother went to Desaiganj police station in Gadchiroli to report that she had been kidnapped. The sessions court acquitted the policemen in 1974. Bombay High Court convicted them in 1976, but Supreme Court overturned the conviction in 1978. An open letter by four law professors and a women’s movement led to the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983.
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Then, why not celebrate a Bahin dooj with Mathura,” said Gorhe, crystallising a survivor and saviour relation into an eternal bond. We have a plan to pen down Mathura’s life, struggle and legal journey in a book,” said Gorhe. Maharashtra govt took steps for her rehabilitation after a remark from former Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai brought the forgotten case back into focus and TOI told her story to the world.
“I have a sister but no brother. The meeting turned emotional when Mathura broke down and collapsed on Gorhe’s lap as the Sena MLC formally inaugurated the new house, which Maharashtra govt had allotted under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana . As Gorhe held her hands, she too struggled to hold back tears as a festive cheer ran through the drought-hit village. Gorhe spent time with Mathura, her family and two sons. She shared a meal of rice and ‘baigan bhaji’ with them, joined by other tribal women farmers and handed out ration and Diwali kits. “Mathura’s elder son has landed a job. We are looking for some placements for the younger one. Her case became a turning point for women’s rights, but her life remained difficult. She lived with her brother and worked as a domestic help. Mathura was asked to stay at the station, where two policemen, head constable Tukaram and constable Ganpat, sexually assaulted her. The verdict had triggered nationwide protests. The changes strengthened protection against custodial rape and shifted the burden of proof in such cases. Download the TOI App.
Then the frail woman had whispered in Marathi — “Tai, tumhi parat kadhi yenaar ? (When will you come back?)”. Gorhe kept her promise and returned to Sindewahi taluka on Bhai Dooj and turned the special occasion into ‘Bahin Dooj’ with Mathura.