A special court in Jaipur on Wednesday (Oct 9) acquitted eight accused in a 37-year-old case of glorification of Sati, and gave them “the benefit of doubt”, a lawyer said. The special court has acquitted 25 others in the case in 2004. 4 accused are still absconding and some of them have died.
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RAJASTHAN: A special court in Jaipur has acquitted eight individuals accused of glorifying Sati in a 37-year-old case, granting them “the benefit of doubt,” according to legal sources. The verdict, delivered on Wednesday, brings partial closure to a case rooted in a tragic incident from 1987.
The Sati case dates back to September 4, 1987, in Diwarala village, Sikar district, where Roop Kanwar, a young widow, allegedly committed Sati by burning herself alive on her husband’s funeral pyre. This act led to widespread outrage and subsequently, legal action was taken against those accused of glorifying the event.
Defense lawyer Amanchain Singh Shekhawat provided further details about the legal proceedings. He revealed that on September 22, 1988, a formal case was registered at Sikar’s Thoi police station against 45 individuals. These individuals were charged with organizing a procession with a photograph of Roop Kanwar, who had become a symbol of Sati, and actively glorifying the act.
The Jaipur-based Sati Nivaran Special Court, which was designated to handle cases related to the prevention of Sati, had previously acquitted 25 others involved in the same case back in 2004. However, the case remained ongoing for eight others. The recent ruling marks their acquittal after decades of legal battle.
It is important to note that four accused individuals are still absconding, and some of the original defendants have passed away during the lengthy legal process.
The court’s decision to acquit these eight individuals rested on the principle of giving them “the benefit of doubt,” as stated by the defense counsel. While the acquittals may mark an end to legal proceedings for most of the accused, the shadow of the tragic incident and the controversial practice of Sati still lingers in the history of Rajasthan.
In 1987, Roop Kanwar’s death had sparked national outrage, leading to the enactment of stricter laws against Sati glorification. These laws continue to play a critical role in preventing the resurgence of the practice and any associated glorification in modern-day India.
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