Traumatised after being gang-raped, a 21-year-old law student has given up all ambitions of being a lawyer, discontinued her studies in the prestigious National Law School of India University and returned to her home country, Nepal.
The gang-rape incident on October 13 last year, where the victim was serially raped in the forest area of Bangalore University campus, sent shock waves and raised serious questions on the safety of women on campus. Police managed to arrest seven of the eight accused, including a juvenile, but the victim has been unable to overcome the trauma and continue her studies. One accused, Raju, is absconding.
“She has left everything and gone back to her country,’’ her friend, who declined to be identified, told Express.
Her doctor, Dr H Chandrashekar, Professor and Head of Department of Psychiatry at Bangalore Medical College said: “She had very severe trauma considering that this was an almost near death experience. It will affect anyone very badly. It is likely that she has post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Also, she may be under pressure from parents or peers to discontinue and go back.’’
The wheels of the justice system are however turning, with Judge K B Sangannanavar at the Additional City Civil & Sessions Court beginning the trial against the six accused — Ramu, Doddairayya, Shivanna, Maddura, Yeleyayya and Irayya of Ramangaram and Mattaradodigudda on Wednesday, exactly six months after the incident. The trial of the juvenile also started at the Juvenile Justice Court on June 6.
Public Prosecutor S V Bhattaru submitted before the judge: “The victim has discontinued her law studies following the incident, as she was very depressed and has gone back to her country.” He further sought a speedy hearing of the case and early judgment, as she has to come from Nepal whenever there is a need.
The victim has already appeared once at the Juvenile Justice Court for the hearing of the juvenile accused. A police source said: “She didn’t speak to anyone and looked very depressed.’’
Dr Chandrashekar said the victim’s appearance at the court was a brave act.
The stress of seeing the rapist and being reminded of the incident may result in nightmares, recurrent thoughts, depression, substance abuse and PTSD, where the events keep flashing.