Civic Chandran Granted Bail In Another Sexual Assault Case, Court Says “Unbelievable That He’’ll Touch A Dalit Woman..”
Every other day there is a new judgement from the court that is making the country question the justice system a lot more. There is certainly logic missing in these verdicts and it leaves you with disappointment in the country’s law and orders. A few days back, a Kerala court had granted bail to social activist Civic Chandran on grounds that the woman was wearing a “sexually provocative dress.” It was a direct slap on the faces of all the Indian women who are trying hard to fight patriarchy in their everyday life. Now, in another judgement on Civic Chandran, the same judge has passed a verdict that is not only controversial but also illogical. He granted bail to the 71-year-old activist in a sexual assault case saying that SC/ST acts cannot be charged on him as he is fighting against the idea of the Caste System. What?
Civic Chandran had two sexual assault charges on him. On August 17, he was given bail for his second sexual assault case. The judge pronounced him not guilty based on the dress of the victim. Now, the judgments of his first sexual assault have also come to the surface and it is equally triggering. Civic Chandran was accused of his first assault by a Dalit woman on July 17. The hearing for this case was held on August 2 and was presided over by the same judge, S.Krishnakumar, as per an article by Newslaundary. Chandran was charged with crimes of outraging the modesty of a woman and also under the section Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act. However, as per the article, the court observed that since Civic Chandran is an activist who is fighting against the caste system, the SC/ST acts are not applicable to him. In fact, the court further said that it is “unbelievable” that he would sexually assault a woman who belongs to the schedule caste as he is an activist against the caste system. The court also took into consideration Chadran’s age and said that he would not approach a woman without her consent and “kiss her on the back.”
Also Read: Kerala Court Just Observed Sexual Harassment Charges Won’t Stand If Woman’s Wearing “Sexually Provocative Dress.” We Object!
Basically, the court decided to overlook the victim’s side of the story and considered connecting illogical reasons to grant him bail.
