Allegations of humiliation adds to Judiciarys woes

Adding to the judiciary’s woes, a UK citizen has alleged that she was humiliated in a magistrate’s court in Ahmedabad. Kaya Enrich’s misery did not end with molestation by a plumber- she was also questioned in Gujarati by a magistrate without the benefit of a translator, and subject to objectionable comments from the defending counsel. The Bar Council of Gujarat may get involved if prosecuting counsel Meera Jagtap files a complaint against the defending counsel Sanjay Prajapati..It has definitely been a bad month for the Indian judiciary. First there was the fracas over whether the office of the Chief Justice falls within the purview of the Right to Information Act. It was sufficiently embarrassing for the Chief Justice- not only did members of the judiciary openly disagree with him, the Delhi High Court also passed a judgment that the office of the Chief Justice was within the purview of the Act. Then came the allegations of corruption against Justice Dinakaran, recommended for elevation to the Supreme Court..Now, a 23-year old British student who was molested by a plumber, has claimed that she was humiliated in a Magistrate’s Court in Gujarat. Kaya Enrich is on an exchange program and is currently based in Ahmedabad. She was allegedly molested by a plumber, and consequently filed a complaint..However, that seems to have been the least her problems when she approached the court. She alleges that she was asked irrelevant questions in a language she did not understand. She told media persons, “The experience in the court was humiliating. It was not as physically painful as sexual assault, but I was just as frightened”. She alleged in her letter to Chief Justice Radhakrishnan, that the Magistrate questioned her in Gujarati, and did not provide any translation. The matter is being prosecuted by Advocate Meena Jagtap..After the incident, Kaya sought privacy in the trial, and the matter is now being heard in camera. Also, Meena Jagtap is seeking action to be taken against Sanjay Prajapati, who is appearing for the accused in the matter, for having passed objectionable comments. Reports indicate that the Bar Council of Gujarat have offered their help and assistance to Kaya and also that an enquiry may be conducted regarding the allegations. Chairperson of the Bar Council, Vijay H. Patel, was not available for comment.