Pani jhadi thi kya? (Did you ejaculate?)” the sneering defence
lawyer asks the prosecutrix.Paani nahin, Vakeel Saab, khoon jhadi thi, khoon! (I bled, sir, I
bled!)” she cries in reply.
This exchange is a
part of the courtroom scene in Bawandar, Jagmohan Mundhra’s film on
the Bhanwari Devi gang rape case. Based on a true story, the film is also a
reflection of a typical rape trial. In that case, the judge acquitted the
rapists, refusing to believe Bhanwari Devi.
The Rajastha
works in the field of criminal justice reforms and freedom of expression in Mumbai and Delhi. He is associated with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.
