Former Karnataka top cop says Nirbhaya's mother has 'good physique', sparks row

Mumbai: Former top cop of Karnataka HT Sangliana stoked controversy at a recent event when he allegedly called Delhi-gang rape victim Nirbhaya's mother's physique 'good'. If this was not enough, he further said that he couldn't imagine how beautiful Nirbhaya would have been.

The former DGP was quoted as saying by Mumbai Mirror, "Nirbhaya's mother has such a good physique. I can imagine how beautiful Nirbhaya would have been.”

Sangliana did not stop here. He also reportedly said that if a woman is overpowered, then she should surrender, prevent being killed and follow up the case later. 

At the event, Karnataka cadre IPS officer D Roopa was given the 'Nirbhaya award' on the occasion on March 9, 2018. This was for International Women's Day, which is celebrated on March 8 every year.

Met Nirbhaya's mother today. She spoke how the society stigmatises rape victims rather than stigmatising the culprits. It's for citizens to play active role in checking crimes against women. Ex MP, retd IPS Sangliana was present I received "Nirbhaya Award" on the occasion. pic.twitter.com/ifjeaBpnf1

— D Roopa IPS (@D_Roopa_IPS) March 9, 2018

Meanwhile, activist Anita Cheria was quoted as saying by the media house that she had wanted to leave soon after the remark as a mark of protest but had stayed back out of respect for Nirbhaya's parents.

Later, Cheria, who was also awarded, as a mark of disapprovement of Sangaliana’s comment, in her acceptance speech said that when top government officials comment on a woman's 'good physique', then it shows that the society still has a long way to go in order to change mindsets and bring lasting change.

On the other hand, as per the report, noted journalist Pushpa Achanta walked out of the event because of ex-DGP's remarks. However, the report said that it was not clear whether Nirbhaya's parents could hear Sangliana's speech clearly.

On her part, Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi said that justice was something that did not come easy and various laws were really not a deterrent for anti-social elements.

Her daughter was brutally gang-raped on a bus in Delhi on the night of December 16, 2012, and died on December 29, 2012, in Singapore the same year.

A juvenile, who was under 18 years of age, was held along with five other men for the rape and murder of 'India's braveheart'.

The incident had shocked the nation and had led to massive protests across the country seeking safety for women and stricter punishment for rapists.

In December 2015, the Parliament had passed the juvenile justice bill, which provides for the trial of those between 16 and 18 years of age as adults for heinous offences. Also, anyone between the age of 16 and 18 who commits a less serious offence may be tried as an adult if he is apprehended after he attains the age of 21.