Activists shocked and suspicious

TNN | Mar 12, 2013, 02.13 AM IST

NEW DELHI: Ram Singh's custodial death has appalled many. Activists and women's groups who had taken part in the protests following the Nirbhaya gang-rape are shocked at the scale of security lapse in Tihar Jail. They also find Singh's alleged suicide "extremely suspicious".

The secretary of All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA), Kavita Krishnan, feels that Singh could have been a source for a lot of information about the illegal operations in the transport sector. "Now our access to that information is also closed."

Sucheta De, a student leader, echoes similar concerns. "A custodial death is an interruption in the trial. He could have directed us to serious illegalities and lapses in the public transport system. But, justice should follow now."

Annie Raja of National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) fears that it will slow down the trial. "This incident should not delay the trial. It's a mysterious death and has raised a number of questions about the functioning of prison authorities. They have clearly failed."

Sunny Kumar, a member of All India Students Association (AISA) that mobilized hundreds of students to the protests, says this is just another reminder of how the process of investigation and trial is not taken seriously. "It's a mysterious development but it should not overshadow a swift and fair trial."

Delhi high court lawyer Vrinda Grover assures that the death will not adversely impact the case or the culpability of rest of the accused.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Activists-shocked-and-suspicious/articleshow/18918255.cms