Suryanelli gangrape: Judge's controversial remarks on the survivor spark protests

New Delhi: The High Court Judge who acquitted the 35 accused in the Suryanelli gangrape case, was caught on camera making a controversial statement, saying the survivor was used for child prostitution and not raped. The sting operation has led to massive protests in Kerala. The survivor is now planning to take the judge to court.

Justice Basant is under fire after a private television channel aired the controversial remarks by him. "There was ample evidence to show the girl was used for child prostitution, which is not rape. If I was asked to decide the case again, I would decide the same way," Justice Basant allegedly said.

Justice Basant insists his comments were made in accordance with the findings of the court. That he spoke off camera and the channel recorded them without his consent.

The judge was caught on camera making a controversial statement, saying the survivor was used for child prostitution and not raped.

But the judge is now facing widespread condemnation from women and youth outfits.

Activist Annie Raja said, "The remarks by Justice Basant are an insult to women as a whole; this too, as Justice Verma Committee opined, is the same as doubting a woman's integrity."

Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan even announced that Justice Basant deserves a slap from women. "If he goes out to any place, young girls should slap on his face. That's what he deserves for such an absurd, ridiculous comment," Achuthanandan said.

Achuthanandan has already announced he will move the Supreme Court for action against Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien who has been named by the survivor. Local media reports say the rape survivor now plans to file a defamation case against the judge.

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