Suzette Jordan

Suzette Jordan (1974 – 13 March 2015) was a prominent women's-rights activist and anti-rape campaigner from Kolkata, India. She herself was a survivor of a gang rape in Park Street, Kolkata. Referred to in the media only as the Park Street Rape victim, she publicly revealed her identity as a survivor of gang rape in 2013 to protest the spate of ongoing rapes and murders of women, and to encourage other survivors to speak out.[1][2]

Under Indian law, the identity of a victim of rape cannot be revealed without the individual's permission. Until Jordan waived her right to anonymity in June 2013, her case had been dubbed the 'Park Street rape' by the Indian media, after the Kolkata street on which the attack took place in February 2012.[2][3] When Jordan originally reported the crime, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, called her a liar and accused her of trying to embarrass the government, a position that provoked national outrage.[4]

When Jordan revealed her identity as a survivor of rape, she said, "Why should I hide my identity when it was not even my fault? Why should I be ashamed of something that I did not give rise to? I was subjected to brutality, I was subjected to torture, and I was subjected to rape, and I am fighting and I will fight."[2][5] At the time of her death, three of the five men accused of raping Jordan inside a moving car had been arrested and were on trial, although they denied the charges. The remaining two, including the main suspect, had not been arrested.[4] The names of the accused are main accused Mohommad Ali and Kadir Khan who are absconding, and Nasir Khan, Ruman Khan (Nishat Alam alias Ruman Khan alias Tussi) and Sumit Bajaj who are in custody. [6] [7]

On December 10, 2015, the city sessions court, Kolkata found all five of the accused guilty. The accused have been convicted under 120 (B) (Criminal conspiracy), 506 (criminal intimidation), 323(Voluntarily Causing Hurt) ,34(Common intention),376(2)(g)(Gang Rape). The three accused in custody will be given sentences on December 11, 2015. [8][9][10][11][12]

Jordan became a women's rights activist and briefly worked as a counsellor for a helpline for victims of sexual and domestic violence.[13] She spoke up against the humiliation and discrimination against victims, for instance when she was denied entry into a Kolkata restaurant. She made use of the media, appearing in a talk show, Satyamev Jayate hosted by actor Aamir Khan,[14] as well as through Facebook to highlight societal issues.[15]

She had two daughters, and died at the age of 40, of meningoencephalitis.[1] On December 10, 2015, A court in Kolkata held all three accused guilty in the Park Street rape case. [16]

The prime accused Kader Khan & Muhammad Ali are still absconded. [17]

References


  1. 1 2 "Suzette Jordan: India anti-rape campaigner dies after illness". BBC News www.bbc.com. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Park Street Rape Survivor Suzette Jordan, Who Took On Bengal Government, Dies". ndtv.com. NDTV www.ndtv.com. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  3. ↑ Malhotra, Aditi (13 March 2015). "Park Street Rape Victim Suzette Jordan Dies". blogs.wsj.com. The Wall Street Journal blogs.wsj.com. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Park Street rape victim Suzette Jordan dies in Kolkata". us.india.com. Press Trust of India india.com. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  5. ↑ Jha, Rupa (21 June 2013). "Why an India rape victim disclosed her identity". BBC News www.bbc.com. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  6. ↑ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Good-backgrounds-bad-company/articleshow/11955686.cms
  7. ↑ http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120221/jsp/calcutta/story_15159107.jsp#.VmmHQ7iGSko
  8. ↑ http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-park-street-rape-case-all-five-accused-found-guilty-three-convicted-by-kolkata-court-2154075
  9. ↑ http://www.livemint.com/Politics/qR8vrujadJxaNuicIoyQGN/Park-Street-rape-case-Kolkata-court-finds-three-accused-gui.html
  10. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2015/12/10/park-street-rape-accused-guilty_n_8767376.html
  11. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2015/12/10/park-street-rape-accused-guilty_n_8767376.html
  12. ↑ http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/park-street-rape-case-three-convicts-found-guilty-115121000491_1.html
  13. ↑ Mohan, Shriya (3 July 2013). "How Do You Survive Being Named ‘The Park Street Rape Victim’?". Yahoo News India in.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  14. ↑ Satyamev Jayate - Salute the Brave - Part 5
  15. ↑ Name and shame by Malini Banerjee, India Today, October 1, 2014
  16. ↑ timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Park-Street-rape-case-3-held-guilty/articleshow/50119297.cms TOI News, December 10, 2015]
  17. ↑ ABP Ananda electronic media DTD. Dec 10, 2015
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