The Delhi police and TV news channel Aaj Tak have been directed by the high court to pay Rs.6.5 lakhs in compensation to a victim of sexual abuse, for disclosing her identity eight years ago. The Police Commissioner has also been directed to set up an inquiry into the details of the disclosure.

The police and Aaj Tak are directed to pay the petitioner's daughter Rs.6 lakhs of which Rs.100,000 will be paid by the police and Rs.500,000 will be paid by Aaj Tak. In addition each respondent is directed to pay Rs.25,000 in litigation costs to the minor girl who suffered untold trauma and mental agony.

[ Back to Top ]

Author Reginald Massey speaking as a guest at the Taj Literature Festival in Agra, questioned writer Shobha De's credentials as a literary person, saying she does not have a style like Dickens or Jane Austen, and should not be taken seriously, as she wrote soft pornography which titillates.

Massey is an authority on culture, religion, music and dances of India. He wrote and narrated the BBC's well known documentary on Kathakali. He was born in Lahore and lives in London. He contributes to the Guardian and The Times and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

He advised students to read Jawaharlal Nehru's "Discovery of India" to understand the country and its cultural roots. He said English was now very much an Indian language. The Indian Constitution was written in English which has been enriched by its connection with India.

Shobha De participated in the three day event in Agra.

[ Back to Top ]

President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the Ordinance on sexual assault that was approved by the Union Cabinet. The changed law will come into force with immediate effect.

The new law provides for the death penalty for cases of rape that lead to the victim's death or result in a persistent vegetative state. Such cases will be categorised as the "rarest-of-rare" for which courts can award the death penalty if they so decide.

The changed law will also now treat voyeurism, stalking, disrobing of women and acid attacks as specific offences under the Indian Penal Code. Eve-teasing will be raised from a minor offence to a serious crime and attract enhanced punishment.

The President's approval came even as opposition to certain provisions from women's rights activists who are unhappy over the government's refusal to recognise marital rape as an offence.

[ Back to Top ]

Salman Khan who has long been associated with cancer awareness has now opened a medical camp for cancer patients in need of help. His camp is run from a garden opposite his house in Bandra.

Each morning a long queue of people armed with medical files and papers wait to see the doctor as two bodyguards assist. Patients are charged Rs.2 and sometimes they are charged nothing.

Extreme cases are referred to Salman, who then takes over to provide help. He has been involved in helping cancer patients for some 13 years now.

[ Back to Top ]

Sachin Dabolkar, 32, a sub-inspector of police met a 22 year old girl when she went to the police station to file a complaint after she lost her cell phone.

In her complaint the girl said Dabolkar had consensual sex with her for a few months and raped her on at least seven occasions on the pretext of marrying her.

An FIR was registered under the sections of rape and cheating and Dabolkar is on probation till medical reports and call records of the victim and the police officer are taken.

[ Back to Top ]