Recent LSE graduate Kaya Eldridge, who was humiliated during legal proceedings in India had a verdict handed down in her favour last week.
Eldridge was “delighted to announce that the verdict has been declared in my favour, despite many obstacles justice has been achieved,” according to her Facebook status update. She had been informed of the verdict through an email from her lawyer.
In an article by the Times of India, ‘Brit girls molester gets 1-year jail’, it mentioned the magistrate’s observation that as Eldridge was a foreign national, and had gone to India for an internship as part of AIESEC, “the accused’s act is not only a blot on character of an individual or a society, but on India. A heinous act that tarnishes image of the society and the nation cannot be taken lightly.”
Kaya Eldridge was molested by a plumber during her 3-month long exchange programme in Ahmedabad, which had left her with bruises and scratches. The accused had grabbed her “bottom, breast and waist when he came to fix her shower at her house”.
The defense lawyer, Sanjay Prakapati, had asked Eldridge, in open court proceedings, whether she had bathed, smoked or drank alcohol. A complaint against him is still pending before the Bar Council of Gujarat.
Eldridge told Times of India: “It was not easy to get back to a normal life after the trauma I went through…I choked when I learnt about the court verdict. It will send a positive message to the society and also provide a fresh ray of hope for many victims like me.”
LSESU Womens’ Officer Jessie Robinson, who organised a protest in support of Eldridge last term, stated: “Through highlighting and challenging the sexism of the law courts, Kaya has not only achieved a great personal victory, but also helped provide hope for all women that justice is possible.”