Justice delayed: The long road to conviction in an Indian rape case 32 years ago

Sushma* was only 18 when her life was shattered in 1992. A man she knew lured her to an abandoned warehouse, where six to seven men assaulted her, tied her up, and took photographs of the act. The attackers came from wealthy and influential families in Ajmer, Rajasthan. After the assault, one of the men offered her 200 rupees to buy lipstick, a gesture she refused.

A local newspaper clipping from 1992 with the headline: “Blackmail Scandal: Ajmer Shuts Down.”

Delayed Justice：After 32 Years, Ajmer Rape Survivors See Justice as Six Men Receive Life Sentences

It took 32 years for Sushma to see her attackers convicted. Last week, a court sentenced the six men to life imprisonment. Now 50 years old, Sushma expressed a bittersweet sense of justice, acknowledging that it could never restore what she lost. She has faced societal slander and personal turmoil, with both of her marriages ending in divorce due to her past.

Sushma was one of 16 schoolchildren and students who were raped and blackmailed by a group of powerful men in Ajmer. The case, which took place over several months in 1992, caused a massive scandal and sparked protests across Rajasthan. Last week, six of the 18 accused were sentenced to life imprisonment. The convicted men—Nafis Chishty, Iqbal Bhat, Saleem Chishty, Sayed Jamir Hussain, Naseem (known as Tarzan), and Suhail Ghani—maintain their innocence and plan to appeal.

The Suzuki van that was used to transport victims

A Long Road to Justice：Decades-Long Struggle Ends with Life Sentences in Ajmer Rape Case, But Justice Remains Incomplete

The road to these convictions has been long and fraught with delays. Of the remaining 12 accused, eight were sentenced to life in 1998, but four were later acquitted by a higher court, and others had their sentences reduced. One accused died by suicide, another was acquitted after a life sentence, one was convicted in a related minor case but later acquitted, and one remains at large.

Journalist Santosh Gupta, who has closely followed the case, expressed frustration, stating that a judgement alone does not equate to justice. Supreme Court lawyer Rebecca John echoed this sentiment, pointing to the broader societal and legal challenges that contribute to the delays. The accused exploited their power and connections to evade justice, often using photographs and videos to blackmail victims into silence.

The influence and connections of the accused played a significant role in keeping the case under wraps for months. While some in the community feared them, others sought to associate with them. Even as some individuals, including those at a photo studio and certain police officers, were aware of the crimes, it wasn't until a local newspaper published a damning photograph that the case gained widespread attention. This public outrage led to concrete action, with the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) eventually taking over the investigation.

The trial has dragged on for decades due to various factors, including staggered arrests, alleged delaying tactics by the defence, and systemic issues within the justice system. The victims, now in their 40s and 50s, have had to relive their trauma repeatedly, as each arrest required them to testify again. Many witnesses have distanced themselves from the case as their lives moved on, and one accused remains at large.

Sushma, whose testimony was crucial in securing the recent convictions, remains steadfast in her account. "I never changed my story. I was young and innocent when these people did this to me. It robbed me of everything. I have nothing to lose now," she said.

While the recent convictions mark a step toward justice, the prolonged legal process and societal hurdles reflect deep flaws in the system. True justice remains elusive in a society where power and influence can so easily delay accountability.