On Wednesday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi sharply criticized the inaction of the police in the Badlapur sexual assault case, where an FIR was registered 12 hours after the family of one of the victims initially reported the crime. Gandhi’s remarks came in response to the rising public outrage and protests demanding justice for the two kindergarten girls who were sexually assaulted in Maharashtra's Thane district.
Gandhi accused the authorities of prioritizing the concealment of crimes over the pursuit of justice, stating, “More efforts are made to hide crime than to provide justice.” He questioned the alarming necessity of public protests to prompt basic legal procedures, lamenting, “Will we now have to protest to even register an FIR? Why has it become so difficult for victims to even go to the police station?”
He emphasized that the failure to promptly file FIRs not only disheartens victims but also emboldens perpetrators. “Not filing an FIR not only discourages the victims but also encourages the criminals,” he said. Gandhi's criticism reflects a broader concern over systemic issues within law enforcement and the judicial process, which often leave victims vulnerable and justice delayed.
Gandhi drew comparisons with other recent high-profile cases of violence against women, including the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata and various brutal incidents reported in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He expressed grave concern over the recurring nature of such crimes, questioning the direction in which society is heading. “After West Bengal, UP, Bihar, the shameful crimes against daughters in Maharashtra also force us to think where are we heading as a society?” he asked.
He called for a united effort from all segments of society—government, citizens, and political parties—to address the growing crisis of violence against women. “All governments, citizens, and political parties will have to brainstorm on what steps should be taken to provide a safe environment for women in society,” Gandhi stated. He underlined that justice should be an inherent right for every citizen, not subjected to the arbitrary actions of police and administrative bodies.
Gandhi’s remarks underscore a deep frustration with the current handling of such cases and highlight an urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure that the legal system supports victims effectively and holds perpetrators accountable. His comments reflect a broader call for systemic change to address the pervasive issue of violence against women and to ensure that justice is not hindered by bureaucratic delays or negligence.
