Photo of Insensitive Indian Police Offering Consolation Money After Calling Sexual Assault Victim

Global Netizens' Fierce Criticism Continues
Voices of Self-Reflection Emerge Locally

Regarding the Spanish couple who traveled to India and were respectively assaulted and gang-raped, the Indian government delivered consolation money, but harsh criticism arose again as a commemorative photo was taken when the consolation money was handed over.

Indian police officer who handed over a condolence check of 10 lakh to the husband of a wife who was gang-raped during a trip to India and took a commemorative photo with the assault victim.
[Image source=India Today capture]

On the 7th, local media including PTI reported that on the 5th, the Jharkhand High Court in India acknowledged that a Spanish woman was gang-raped in the Dumka area of Jharkhand while traveling by bike with her husband. As of the report date, Indian police arrested three of the seven suspects and sent them to trial. Additionally, compensation of 1 million rupees (about 16 million KRW) was paid to the victim. The problem was that during the compensation payment process, the Indian police made the husband who came to receive the compensation take a 'commemorative photo.' Furthermore, local Indian media reported that "the husband of the raped woman accepted the compensation and expressed gratitude to the police for the swift investigation," which led netizens worldwide to strongly criticize the situation.

Within India, voices of self-reflection are growing regarding this incident. Indian singer Chinmayi Sripada wrote on social media, "All Indians should be ashamed" about this case. Indian actor Richa Chadha also criticized, saying, "Indians treat foreigners as they treat their own women," and added, "Our rotten society should be ashamed." Another Indian actor, Dulquer Salman, expressed shock over the gang rape charges, stating, "Such things should never happen to anyone, anywhere," and emphasized that the perpetrators must be brought to justice. Netizens also poured out harsh criticism such as "The insensitivity and incompetence of Indian government officials regarding this horrific act have reached their peak," and "The dignity of the victim woman has been violated once again."

The Jharkhand High Court requested the Dumka District Police Chief to submit a report on the case to verify the facts and decided to rehear the case on the same day. The court pointed out, "All kinds of crimes against foreigners can have serious domestic and international impacts, including affecting the national tourism economy," and added, "Especially sex-related crimes against foreign women cause negative reputations for the country and can damage India's image worldwide."

Meanwhile, the gang rape incident occurred on the 1st. The victim couple, who had been traveling in India by motorcycle for several months, were camping in the Dumka area when suddenly intruders attacked; the husband was assaulted, and the wife was sexually assaulted. The intruders also stole 10,000 rupees (about 160,000 KRW) before fleeing. Indian police are tracking the remaining suspects besides the three who have been arrested.