After being hospitalised for 47 days, the 26-year-old survivor of a brutal gang rape in a village in Anekal was on Wednesday shifted to Snehadaan, a charitable rehabilitation and palliative care centre.
On November 23, a group of bike-borne men had abducted her and raped her in an abandoned building at Auradadenahalli. Two days later, she was found lying on the road near the bus stop in the village by an activist who was passing by. She was rushed to the one-stop crisis centre in Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital.
She had suffered multiple fractures and had several injuries all over her body. She was discharged from the hospital on December 30 and forcibly taken to the State Home (a shelter run by the government), but was re-admitted to the hospital’s ICU the next day after she fell ill again.
A support group comprising activists and members of North-East Solidarity, who have been helping her all through her hospital stay, have been mobilising funds for her treatment. They have arranged for an attendant to take care of her in the hospital.
“We did not want her to be in the State Home, as it is under-staffed and not equipped to handle medical cases of patients who require physiotherapy and care. We requested the police and the Women and Child Welfare Department to put her in Snehadaan, where she can get the required palliative care,” Rinni Ralte, president of North-East Solidarity told The Hindu.
Ms. Ralte says, “This survivor is lucky to have got support from so many people. I hope and wish that all such victims get the same.”
Sylvia Karpagam, a doctor and researcher who is part of the support group, said the survivor received good care from doctors in Bowring hospital.
Yet to get compensation
The Women and Child Welfare Department is facilitating the process of getting compensation.
“As per rules, she should get ₹25,000 spot compensation and ₹3 lakh as the overall compensation. As she has lost all her documents and has no bank account, the cheque for ₹25,000 is yet to be handed over to her,” said Kavita Srinivasan, member of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).
The department has turned down a request from the support group to give her an open cheque so that she can get the money immediately, Ms. Kavitha said.
Culprits yet to be nabbed
The police have arrested three persons who allegedly assaulted her while she was lying unconscious, but the actual perpetrators are still at large. A senior police officer said, “Efforts are on to nab them.”
‘I will sell momos to make a living’
The pain and horrible experience has not dampened the spirits of the 26-year-old survivor who continues to dream of a better life.
“I know how to make momos and noodles. I can do all house work. Once my pain reduces and I am fit to start work, I will take up some job and lead a respectable life,” she told The Hindu.
“I came to Bengaluru six years ago to make a living, as I had no family. I am grateful to the people who are helping me and working for my rehabilitation,” she said.
