Book MLA for rape, orders Ldh court

Ludhiana, July 7

The Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Harsimranjit Singh has ordered the police to book Lok Insaaf Party chief Simarjit Singh Bains, MLA from the Atam Nagar constituency, for rape on the complaint of a 44-year-old woman.

The court said: “Extreme circumstances call for extreme measures. The victim was unabashedly exploited by the so-called saviour and his coterie. With the first responder, police agency having turned a blind eye to her hideous abuse, she knocked at the door of the court.”

It added: “The real cause for concern is whether a victim of sexual exploitation be expected to get justice by lodging the private complaint and collecting evidence from a place alien to her and against the perpetrators who are might, powerful and resourceful. In case the directions to register a case are not followed, it would tantamount to failure of justice.” On November 16, 2020, the woman had submitted an application to the Ludhiana Commissioner of Police for registration of an FIR against Bains and several others. But when no FIR was registered, she moved the court. — OC