The hearing in the sensational Vakapalli mass rape case has been adjourned again. The SC/ST Special Court judge adjourned the hearing to December 18. The court would decide on the procedure to be followed for hearing on December 18.

On Tuesday, the 13 policemen, accused in the case, were present at the court, while a large number of tribal and women’s organizations were also there. Additional public prosecutor Saladi Srinivas presented his arguments, while M Ravi represented the accused. After hearing arguments from both the sides, SC/ST special court judge O Venkata Nageswara Rao adjourned the caseto December 18.

The accused in this case are Paderu SI A Ravikumar, Anakapalle town constables D Ravikumar, DVR Suresh, K Devullu, T Prasad, S Tata Babu, D Simhachalam, R Chandrasekhar, R Devanath, S Srinivasa Rao, Chodavaram constables R Srinu and Ch Vijayakumar.

2007 Vakapalli Gang Rape Case

It may be recalled that on August 20, 2007, the Greyhounds police attacked Vakapalli village and raped 11 Kondh tribal women. The news sparked nation-wide outrage and the victims had lodged a complaint with the Paderu police. But, the Government-appointed probe committees exonerated the Greyhound personnel. The tribals, women and human rights organizations launched a massive agitation and filed a private case in the court. The case was later transferred to SC/ST court. The 21 accused had later approached the High Court, which absolved 8 of them, while the remaining 13 persons approached the Supreme Court on April 26, 2016. The supreme court rejected their petition and directed the government and the Trial Court to pronounce judgment within six months.

On Tuesday, the gang rape victims petitioned to the court requesting it to direct the government to pay them compensation and appoint a public prosecutor and additional
prosecutor of their choice as per the provisions of the rule 4, clause 5 of the SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act. They also wanted the constitution of a special court to expedite the hearing.

Efforts on to weaken case: Tribals

The victims wanted Rajahmundry-based Palla Trinadha Rao as the public prosecutor and Vizag-based Jahan Aara as the additional public prosecutor. But the officials have not taken any decision as yet. The tribals have accused the Government of trying to weaken the case. Already, the government has wasted ten years in this case, they said and demanded that the hearing be expedited.